Full text of "Interface Age 1981 07"

See other formats

COMPUTING FOR BUSINESS AND HOME

IF YOU CAN
miTA MINUTE
WE CAN WE

YOU ‘1000.

With the Storwriter™ Daisy
Wheel 25 cps printer from C. Itoh.

A business letter, written on a 45 cps
word-processing printer, might take
about two minutes to print.

With the Starwriter, it might take
closer to three.

The typical 45 cps printer retails for
about $3,000.

But the Starwriter 25 retails for about
$1, 895— thus saving you about $1, 000.

And therein lies the biggest difference
between the Starwriter 25 and the more
expensive, daisy wheel printers.

The Starwriter 25 comes complete
and ready-to-use, requiring no changes
in hardware or software. It uses indus-
try-standard ribbon cartridges, and it’s
“plug-in” compatible to interface with a

wide variety of systems, to help lower
system-integration costs.

Using a 96-character wheel, it
produces excellent letter-quality print-
ing on three sharp copies with up to 163
columns, and offers the most precise
character-placement available, for out-
standing print performance.

C. Itoh's warranty;

3 months on parts and labor, sup-
ported by one of the best service organi-
zations in the industry.

‘4000 OFF;

Leading Edge Products, Inc., I

225 Turnpike Street, j

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Dear Leading Edge:

I’d like to know more about the Starwriter, and
how spending a minute can save me a grand.

Please send me the name of my nearest dealer.

Name |

Title I

Company I

Street I

City/State Zip I

Phone: Area Code

Number 1^.7 j

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 49

LEADING

EDGE.

Leading Edge Products, Inc. , 225 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021
j Dealer inquiries invited. For immediate delivery from the Leading Edge Inventory Bank™ call toll free 1-800-343-6833

In Massachusetts, call collect (617) 828-8150. Telex 951-624

What Cromemco computer card
capability can do for you

The above diagram shows in a func-
tional way one of the most complete
lines of computer cards in the industry.

Look it over carefully. It could be well
worth your while.

These are all cards that plug into our
S-100 bus microcomputers.

You can also assemble them into a
custom system in convenient Cromemco
card cages.

MULTI PROCESSING AND
INTELLIGENT I/O

The range of capabilities and versatility
you can draw upon is enormous.

In processors, for example, you have a
choice of CPU's including our extremely
useful new I/O Processor. This can be
used as a satellite processor to do off-line
processing, multi-processing, and to form
intelligent I/O. It opens the door to a
whole new group of applications and
tasks. Ask us about it.

HIGH RESOLUTION
COLOR GRAPHICS

Again, you can have beautiful high-
resolution color graphics with our color
graphics interface. You can select from
over 4000 colors and have a picture with
a resolution at least equal to quality
broadcast-TV pictures.

You have an unprecedented selection
of memory including our unusual 48K
and 16K two-port RAMs which allow
high-speed color graphics.

LOTS OF STORAGE

These days you often want lots of disk
storage. So you can select from our disk
controller card which will operate our 5"
and 8" floppy disk drives (up to 1.2
megabytes). Or select our WDI interface
to operate our 11 -megabyte hard disk
drives.

POWERFUL SOFTWARE AND
PERIPHERAL SUPPORT

There's much more yet you can do
with our cards. And, of course, there's an
easy way to put them to work in our 8-,
12-, and 21-slot card cages. Our PS8
power supply makes it simple to get the
system into operation.

Finally, Cromemco offers you the
strongest software support in the industry

with languages like FORTRAN, C,
COBOL, ASSEMBLER, LISP, BASIC and
others. There is also a wide choice from
independent vendors.

To top it all off, you can draw from a
substantial array of peripherals: ter-
minals, printers, color monitors and disk
drives.

CONTACT YOURCROMEMCO REP

There is even more capability than
we're able to describe here.

Contact your Cromemco rep now and
get this capability working for you.

CROMEMCO COMPUTER CARDS
• PROCESSORS - 4 MHz Z-80 A CPU, single
card computer, I/O processor • MEMORY —
up to 64K including special 48K and 16K two-
port RAMS and our very well known
8YTESAVERS® with PROM programming
capability • HIGH RESOLUTION COLOR
GRAPHICS — our SDI offers up to 754 x 482
pixel resolution. • GENERAL PURPOSE
INTERFACES -QUADART four-channel serial
communications, TU-ART two-channel
parallel and two-channel serial, 8PIO 8-port
parallel, 4PIO 4-port isolated parallel, D+7A
7-channel D/A and A/D converter, printer inter-
face, floppy disk controller with RS-232 inter-
face and system, diagnostics, wire-wrap and
extender cards for your development work.

Cromemco

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 22

JULY 1981

ncorporated
280 BERNARDO AVE., MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94040
Tomorrow’s computers today

(415) 964-7400

tj 1

fit?

V T

INTERFACE AGE 1

VOL. 6, ISSUE 7

SINCE DECEMBER 1975

The Future of

Data Communications ... 66

Quick Register 72

The Video Display
Revolution 76

JULY 1981

mi i cnnciLC aoc

COMPUTING FOR BUSINESS AND HOME APPLICATIONS

FEATURES

System of the Month: Commodore CBM by Tom Fox

Home computer dressed up for the business market. 44

Sounds of Atari. ..in Basic by Herb Moore

Achieving random computer sound generation. 48

Assignment: Benchmark - Factors in Computer Selection . .byHiiieiSegai

Reviewing criteria for computer evaluation. 52

Hardware Evaluation: Epson MX-80 Printer by Roger h. Edeison

Output quality to rival high-priced systems. 58

The Future of Data Communications by Bernard Conrad cole

What’s in store for the computer communications arena? 66

Quick Register by Chuck Atkinson

Program to print a sales ticket while updating inventory. 72

The Video Display Revolution by Larry C. Raymond

Comparison of the latest terminal hardware units 76

Local Packet Networking by Bernard Conrad Cole

Considering alternatives to PABX telephone switching. 84

Telecommunications and the Consumer by Robert j. Hustwit

Satisfying the communication needs of the marketplace. 90

Maintain your Memory byT.j. Byers

Caring for your cassette mass storage system. 92

Software Review: MT Microsystem’s Pascal/MT + by Alan r. Miller

Evaluating a CP/M version of Pascal for 8080 or Z80 systems 94

Bulletin Board by David D. Busch

Program for message retrieval among several users. 98

Stripping with CP/M’s Editor by David Lutz

Program to strip a program of its REMarks. 100

COLUMNS

Jurisprudent Computerist: Legal and tax update 19

Game Corner: Software clock— in color 20

Inventor’s Sketchpad: Device for the handicapped 27

Micro Mathematician: Quadratic equations 28

Learning with Micros: Educational computing publications 34

Business Software Review: Memorite ill and Execupian 36

Apple*ications: An Apple for energy 40

DEPARTMENTS

Editor’s Notebook 6 New Products 102

Letters to the Editor 8 Calendar 138

Update 12 Book Reviews 140

Free Literature 144

Contact authors of monthly columns by writing to them at INTERFACE AGE, P.O. Box
1234, Cerritos, CA 90701 in care of their respective columns.

INTERFACE AGE Magazine, published monthly by McPheters, Wolfe & Jones, 16704 Marquardt Ave., Cerritos, CA 90701. Subscription rates: U.S. $18.00,
Canada/Mexico $20.00, all other countries $35.00. Make checks payable in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank. Opinions expressed in by-lined articles do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of this magazine or the publisher. Mention of products by trade name In editorial material or advertisements contained herein In no way
constitutes endorsement of the product or products by this magazine or the publisher. Circulation Department, (213) 926-9540.

INTERFACE AGE Magazine COPYRIGHT © 1 981 by INTERFACE AGE Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form
without permission. Requests for permission should be directed to Eva Lewis, Rights and Permission, McPheters, Wolfe & Jones, 16704 Marquardt Ave., Cerritos,
CA 90701 .

INTERFACE AGE Magazine is catalogued in the Library of Congress, Classification No. QA75.5.155. USPS No. 580-310. ISSN Publication No. 0147-2992.
POSTMASTER: Please send change of address form 3579 and undelivered copies to INTERFACE AGE Magazine, 16704 Marquardt Ave., Cerritos, CA 90701.
Controlled circulation postage paid at Lincoln, Nebraska and Artesia, California.

2 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

Computerize your
bookkeeping
without terrifying your

bookkeeper.

Introducing The Boss:™ the most advanced, yet most understandable,
financial accounting system. Designed to automate your
bookkeeping without confusion or mistakes.

hfKtKt ItM Entry fttUUMMI

IrtttKt Jurnili Cl MST CASH tECEitTt

l»U itctivtf i M-tt*tt

Cnimr Cluck U 111)....

in\mr il 1 i till til CWMY

twr Iwict t i 11222

C«twr M. t i MMH...

Tht ttMrttMll: lit SWIWtE

t»Upr, t i IN WIWCT 1

t*Kftpti» i ItciivHJtyHnl

» 1 t Tit M t 1 «R

»«w«tl Mm towl httt/trHit

IM CKkKIm Account ....Jill. 45 Mil

Ml Cub StUi-PtrU JMM5 Crrtit

l»owt nut of lilmtl ’* Ml

Typical screen format - actual photograph.

If "fear of the unknown" is standing
between you and computerization, you
should find out about The Boss.

The Boss system is immediately
comprehensible to bookkeepers
because it utilizes virtually the same
format they're used to.

So even someone with no previous
computer experience can easily learn
and operate The Boss system.

Features seldom found in
packaged software.

The Boss system is fully interactive,
fully departmentalized and exceptionally
fast. It can generate an astounding
number of complex reports- at the touch
of a button.

General Ledger and Accounts
Receivable and Payable transactions
can be entered in any order in a single
program.

Up-to-the-minute financial reports can
be obtained without batch processing.

The Boss system computes financial
ratio analysis.

It protects data from unauthorized
personnel as well as computer
malfunction.

And it has the largest programming
and storage capacity of any micro
system.

The Boss runs on most small business
computers with CP/M® or similar
operating systems. Its cost is only $2,495.

Get full support from Lifeboat.

The Boss is brought to you exclusively
and supported completely by Lifeboat
Associates, world's largest computer
software publisher. For more informa-
tion about how you can profit from this
extraordinary financial accounting
system, send us the coupon below.

Or call (212) 860-0300.

For more information on The Boss,
mail coupon to Lifeboat Associates,
1651 Third Avenue, New York,

NY 10028.

Name.

Title.

State_

lifeboat Associates

THE
SOFTWARE
SUPER-
MARKET”

Zip.

Boss is a trademark ot Balcones Computer Corp

BIA781 CP/W is a trademarks Digital Research, In^Jj

lifeboat Associates

Software with full support

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 3

CP/M REGISTERED TRADEMARK DIGTAL RESEARCH

SuperSoft

First in Software Technology

All Orders and General Information:
SUPERSOFT ASSOCIATES
P.O. BOX 1628
CHAMPAIGN, IL 61820
(217) 359-2112
Technical Hot Line: (217) 359-2691
(answered only when technician is available)

fHAGNOSTICS II

Diagnostics II is SuperSoft’s expanded Diagnostic package.

"Diagnostic II builds upon the highly acclaimed Diagnostics I. It will test
each of the five areas of your system:

Memory Terminal Printer CPU Disk

Every test is expanded.

Every test is “submit”-able. A “submit” file is included in the package which
“chains” together the programs in Diagnostics II. achieving an effective
acceptance test. All output can be directed to a log file for unattended operation,
for example over night testing. Terminal test is now generalized for most crt
terminals. A quick-test has been added for quick verification of the working
of the system.

The memory test is the best one we have encountered. It has new features,
including:

• default to the size of the CP/M Transient Program Area (TPA)

• printout of a graphic memory map • burn in test

• bank selection option • memory speed test

Diagnostics-ll still includes the only CPU test for 8080/8085/Z80.

A Spinwriter/Diablo/Qume test has been added, which tests for the positioning
and control features of the Spinwriter/Diablo/Qume as well as its ASCII
printing features. (Serial Interface only)

And, as with all SuperSoft products, a complete online HELP
system and user manual is included.

Price: $100.00 (manual only): $15.00

Requires: 32K CP/M

CP/M Formats: 8” soft sectored, 5” Northstar, 5” Micropolis

Mod II. Vector MZ, Superbrain DD/QD, Apple 11 +

(■wrnr /iair /iar

iiuicniHLC fliac

Robert S. Jones
Nancy A. Jones
Mike Antich

Managing Editor
Associate Editor
Technical Editor
Special Projects Editor
Contributing Editors

Publisher, Editor-in-Chief
Executive Publisher
Publication Director

Kathy Tekawa
Les Spindle
Tom Fox
Bernard Conrad Cole
Al Baker
R. W. Berner
Roger Edelson
Louis E. Frenzel, Jr.
Roger C. Garrett
Carl Heintz
Elliott MacLennan
Alan R. Miller
Herb Moore
Hillel Segal

Editorial

Production

Production Manager
Art Director
Artists

Typographer

Terri Ledesma
Fino Ortiz
Arlene DeVera
Patricia Perez
Suzi Pippin

Administration

Accounting Supervisor Kay Soto

Accounting Assistants

Mary Ann Lower, Shirley Mazenko

Assistant-to-the-Publisher Eva Lewis

Circulation Manager Colin Cato

Circulation Assistants

Sheila Drury, Vicky Goodman

Publication Assistants

Cheryl Johnston, Lilly Lisa

Advertising

Boston Dick Green

7 Lincoln St.. Wakefield, MA 01880
(617) 245-9105

New York John Sensensteln

20 Community PI., Ste. 140, Morristown, NJ 07960
(201) 267-3032

Charlotte Harry Dill

3938 Sussex Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28210
(704) 552-1004

Chicago Al Gravenhorst, Steve Skinner

5901 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60646
(312) 545-8621

Dallas Mitch Mohanna

2312 Canyon Valley Trail, Plano (Dallas), TX 75023
(214) 596-1139

Santa Clara Mike Antich

1333 Lawrence Expy., Ste. 150C,

Santa Clara, CA 95051
(213) 926-9544

Los Angeles Mike Antich

P.O. Box 1234, Cerritos, CA 90701
(213) 926-9544

Japan Tomoyuki inatsuki

Trade Media Japan Inc., R. 212 Azabu Hts., 1-5-10,
Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106
Telephone: (03) 585-0581 Telex: J28208

Interface Age Europe

Director, European Operations Sylvia Stier

Dahlienstr. 4, D-801 1 Munchen-Vaterstetten
West Germany
Telephone: 08106/7396

International Newsstand Distribution

Director Lew Ullian

Orberstrasse 38, D-6000 Frankfurt/M. 61
West Germany

Telephone: (0611) 44 77 90/41 84 80

International/Domestic
Retail Circulation

(213) 926-9544 Mary Ann Lower

MEMBER OF THE WESTERN
PUBLICATIONS ASSOCIATION

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF

member BUSINESS PRESS EDITORS

16704 Marquardt, Cerritos, CA 90701
(213) 926-9544
TWX (910) 583-1412

4 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 76

JULY 1981

Accounts

.eceivabu

Accounts

Payable

General

Led ger

Accounts

Receivable

General
Ledger

Vlth the
■me programs
base, we have
loped a debugged,
i installed business
age that compares favor-
/vith systems costing much

i eneral Ledger produces trial,
ily, and quarterly balance sheets
income statements. Journal
)S can be entered manually, or
latically from the A/R and A/P
ms.

ccounts Receivable is an open-
system that handles invoice,
ent, credit memo, debit memo,
progress billing transactions.
>mer statements are produced
desired.

ccounts Payable writes checks
aecified vendors from invoice,
t memo, and debit memti
actions. You can distribute each
action over a series of G/L
jnts and job numbers.

Both the A/R and A/P systems
produce aged invoice analysis listings
based on user-specified time periods.

The Payroll system allows hourly,
salaried, vacation, holiday, piecework,
overtime and miscellaneous pay. Any
number of deductions can be entered
for each employee. 941 -A and W-2
forms are produced when needed. A
Job Cost subsystem keeps track of
project dates and status, and records
hours, cost and overhead information
by employee for each job.

The checks and statements fit
standard forms readily available from
mail-order forms suppliers. You have
your choice of a number of different
formats.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 84

We are committed
to the support of our
users. A tech support
phone line gives you access
to us if you need it. Full source
code is included with every sys-
tem. Our money-back guarantee
speaks for itself.

Minimum requirements are 48K
RAM, CP/M™ or CDOS, CBASIC2, a
CRT, and a 132-column printer. We
can provide standard 8”, NorthStar 5”
double-density, or Heath/Zenith 5”
diskettes — call for availability of other
formats. The price is $295 per
system, or $995 for the complete set
of four.

For more information, write
VANDATA, Suite 205, 1 7544 Midvale
Ave. N., Seattle, Wa. 98133, or call
(206) 542-761 1 .

Vandata Business Software. You
can account on it. Hundreds of other
businesses already do.

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research.

Payroll

Cost

Jofc>

Accounts

Payabl

EEiTun 5 iuuTEBuuiri

Challenge for the computer industry

Five years ago, the new computer
described below would be a rare and
precious possession at any price. Today,
it’s commonplace. Its specifications
would scarcely cause a stir at your
neighborhood computer store. Here
they are:

Configuration : A single box containing
computer, dual floppy disk drives,
keyboard and display screen.

Electronics : A Z80A microprocessor
running at 4 MHz, 64K bytes of user
memory and interfacing electronics for
a variety of external devices.

Input/Output: 67-key typewriter-style
keyboard with numeric pad and display
screen holding 1,248 characters.

Peripherals : Online storage of 200,000
bytes of data on two 5 14 -in. minifloppy
diskette drives.

Systems software : CP/M operating
system and two Basic languages—
Microsoft and CBasic.

Applications software : WordStar word
processor, Mail Merge mailing list and
Supercalc (a VisICalc look-alike).

Ho hum, you say, Another new micro.
Sounds like all the rest. But wait! We
forgot one specification:

Price : $1 ,7 96, quantity one, complete
as described.

Eighteen hundred dollars! Why, the
software alone lists for well over a thou-
sand! What’s the catch? Who is making
it? A philanthropic Apple? A Radio Shack
with a short-circuited cost accounting
department? An unknown scientific
genius who stumbled across a revolu-
tionary new manufacturing process?

Nope. A writer/publisher in the com-
puter industry. Imagine that.

Long-time readers of Interface Age
may remember Adam Osborne for his
pithy From the Fountainhead column.
He has since moved on to writing and
publishing technical books, and has
turned out some fine tutorial texts in the
microcomputing field. We recommend
them all the time.

Adam called us early this year to
announce excitedly his plans to forsake
all of this to become a computer manu-
facturer. He painted a glowing word
picture of the machine we just described;
though, at that time, it existed but as a
rat’s nest of wires and parts in bread-
board stage. In the intervening months,
the computer took shape and was duly
(if not humbly) dubbed the Osborne I.
Adam missed on only one detail: In
January, he was talking about a $1 ,400
price tag. Well, inflation has been hard
on us all of late.

How can a mere outsider do what a
booming industry cannot manage—
produce a system at half the cost (or
less) of similar-performing competition?
According to Adam, any one of the
existing computer manufacturers could
have turned the trick if they wanted to.
His own words: “My action is a stinging
indictment of the existing microcomputer
industry.” He believes any one of the
giants could match his prices if they
really tried. If the Osborne I takes off as
planned, they’ll have to do just that, or
get left behind.

As much as we would like to see our
former associate succeed in his new
endeavor, you will have to color us a
skeptical hue. From the Fountainhead
was never one to take a press release
at face value, nor will we. The promo-
tional barrage emanating from Osborne
Computer Corporation has been slick,
massive and guided by the hand of one
who has spent time on the inside of the
publishing industry. It has been singularly
successful, earning the Osborne I
prominence in several popular maga-
zines and trade journals. All this before
even one computer was available for
external evaluation.

There’s nothing wrong with publicity,
mind you, if the product warrants it. And
a computer with these capabilities at
$1 ,800 is news, no doubt about that. But
it hasn’t happened— not yet. Deliveries

should be starting as you read this, but
the schedule has slipped twice already,
so don’t hold your breath. (Osborne is
hardly alone with this problem. Volume
deliveries of the Apple III began at least
six months later than promised.)

And that price tag... will it hold? Even
Adam admits his machine is so ordinary
it would be tough to sell if it were priced
squarely with the competition. Even
with his years studying the industry, we
suspect he is seriously underestimating
the cost to produce, sell and support
the Osborne I. As so many have learned
the hard way, the hidden expenses of
documentation, quality control, distri-
bution, dealer training and support,
warranty repair, etc., can become a
significant— even dominating— portion
of the true manufacturing cost.

If the promised price target is
achieved and held for a significant period
of time— and production ramped up to
match the inevitable hungry demand—
Adam Osborne will singlehandedly turn
the microcomputer industry upside
down. We wish him luck. Not because he
needs it— our friend is perfectly capable
of taking care of himself— but because
we, the consumers, can use that kind of
help. But if he misses, you can expect
the kinds of words on these pages that
Adam himself might have written about
budding computer makers who make
promises and don’t keep them. □ — TF

Family portrait: Osborne I and daddy Adam

6 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

At Hayes, we don’t believe in sec-
ond best. Or planned obsolescence. We
believe in taking the state of the art to the
limit. Our new Smartmodem, for exam-
ple, is the most sophisticated 300-baud
originate/answer modem you can buy.

And yet, it is perhaps the easiest-to-use
modem ever.

RS-232C Compatible. Smartmodem
lets any RS-232C compatible computer
or terminal communicate by phone with
other computers and time-sharing sys-
tems located anywhere in North America.
You get full and half-duplex operation
with both Touch-Tone* and pulse dialing.

Auto-Answer/Dial /Repeat.
Smartmodem can answer the phone, dial
a number, receive and transmit data, and
then hang up the phone- automatically!

If desired, Smartmodem will even repeat
the last command. You can depend on
Smartmodem for completely unattended
operation.

Completely Programmable.

Smartmodem can be controlled using

any programming language. Over 30 dif-
ferent commands can be written into your
programs or entered directly from your
keyboard.

Smartmodem also includes sever-
al switch-selectable features that let you
tailor performance to your exact needs.
You can “set it and forget it“ for the ulti-
mate in convenience.

Built-in Audio Monitor. Thanks
to an internal speaker, you can actually
listen to your connection being made.
You'll know immediately if the line is busy
or if you reached a wrong number—

and you don’t even need a phone!

Status at a Glance. Seven LED’s
indicate Smartmodem’s current operating
mode: auto-answer, carrier detect, off
hook, receive data, send data, terminal
ready and modem ready. You’re never
left in the dark!

Direct-Connect Design.
Smartmodem is FCC registered for di-
rect connection to any modular phone
jack- there’s no acoustic coupler to cause
signal loss and distortion.

Smartmodem, Smart Buy. Pro-
fessional quality features. Versatile per-
formance. A full two-year limited warranty.
A suggested retail price of only $279.

What more could you want? Per-
haps the matching Hayes Stack Chrono-
graph, an RS-232C compatible calendar/
clock system.

Check out the Smartmodem wher-
ever fine computer products are sold.

And don’t settle

for anything less I 1 1 L|o%#**0
than Hayes j I J ndyub

'U S. A. American Telephone and Telegraph © -1981 Hayes

Inducts, Inc.

JULY 1

INTERFACE AGE 7

Smartmodem.

The ultimate concept in modems
is now a reality.

LE7TER5

Bar code advocate

Recently I discovered a commercially
available type element from IBM, the
DF-2, part number 1167659, which
combines letters and a system of
machine readable bar-code. The element
is supposed to cost about $18, and is
an over-the-counter item.

In light of recent developments in the
field, particularly by Hewlett-Packard
and others, resulting in the introduction
of a reasonably affordable bar-code

reader, it is becoming increasingly
apparent that the time has come to
begin publication of computer-listings in
bar-code format. A source of already
generated code will certainly hasten the
final development of more, better and
less expensive bar-code readers.

For some reason, many popular
magazines are still publishing listings in
nearly, if not completely, illegible form:
the dot-matrix. Even when reproduced
well, dot-matrix printing is difficult to

read. When reproduced for publication,
even with care, much is lost before the
reader has his chance to decipher it.
There is entirely too much room for error
In the reader’s attempt to interpret what
was intended. Your recent articles have
led me to believe that, perhaps, your
magazine is the one that is forward-
thinking enough to pioneer.

If printed with ordinary care, and read
with the proper equipment, there is a
remarkable advantage to bar-code-
speed and accuracy. That’s what com-
puters are all about, right? I am not
saying that this IBM element Is the ulti-
mate in solutions; just a good beginning.
Please consider it in your publications
and perhaps you will be the winner with
increased readership.

M. A. Fincher
Baton Rouge, LA

Vote of confidence

When post-warranty service from a
micro manufacturer can be described
only with superlatives such as “exem-
plary,” the time has come to bring it to
your readers’ attention, especially in a
field noted for its past lack of customer
support. When I called Dynabyte In
Menlo Park, CA from London, Canada
about an intermittent disk problem with
Dynabyte 5200 after the warranty period
expired, they arranged to have Roy
Wheaton, their national service manager,
phone me. He not only spent some time
on the phone, but also arranged to rush
hundreds of dollars worth of new parts
by air to me without payment in advance,
and called back several times to check
whether it had arrived. The problem, an
auxiliary disk controller, will be sent
back with the unneeded parts, on an
exchange bases for $65.

Benjamin D. Singer
London, Canada

Government supports Ada

In a report to Congress April 5, 1 979,
Deputy Undersecretary Dr. Ruth Davis
stated that the Department of Defense
spends $3 billion a year to program
computers. Approximately 90% of all
spending on computers is for program-
ming, while the remaining 10% goes into
equipment. The U.S. Department of
Defense generates a substantial portion
of all software or programming develop-
ment today.

As an effort to reduce some of its
costs, the Ada programming language
has been developed by DOD. Ada is an
effort to standardize programming for
imbedded systems in DOD. It will replace
other DOD-approved languages; increase

At last!

an application that interests everyone

Our Application:

Our Manual:

with a manual everyone will love

Money. Where does it come from?
Where does it go? How much do you
have and how much can you afford to
spend . . . You’re interested . . . Your
spouse is interested . . . Your accoun-
tant is interested . . . The taxman is
interested . . . MONEY MAESTRO pro-
vides the answers. Quickly. Accurately.

That’s it. No long dry manuals to read.
No jargon. If it isn’t obvious what you
need to do next, just press “?” (fol-
lowed by RETURN) and MONEY
MAESTRO will lead the way. Of course
we give you a manual to page through
if you choose, but if you have a com-
puter and can fill out a check . . . you
can run MONEY MAESTRO without
opening the book.

jllonmi JHae$tro

Home Banking System

I For MONEY MAESTRO Home Banking System, mail to:

| InnoSys Inc., 2150 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704, (415) 843-8122

| Name

Address.
City

State.

. ZIP.

I’m Interested!

C descriptive brochure (free)
C User’s Manual ($20.00)

□ dealer info

I’m sold!

□ MONEY MAESTRO ($200.00)

□ 8" CP/M □ 5V4 " Micropolis

□ 5V4 " Northstar CP/M SD

Payment: □ COD □ check enclosed amount $_

□ Visa/Mastercharge#

Signature

.exp. date /

■ Allow $3.00 Shipping & Handling (overseas: $10.00).
I California residents add sales tax.

“today’s idea . . .

. . . tomorrow’s utility”

..InnoSy s

incorporated'

8 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 44

JULY 1981

NOW CLEANING YOUR OWN
DISKETTE HEADS COULD SAVE
YOU A 5 40 SERVICE CALL.
AND A LOT MORE.

At only $1 per cleaning-
it’s the best insurance you
can get.

This fast-cleaning new Scotch
kit comes with everything
you need (including special
fluid, applicator tip, cleaning
diskettes) to handle up to
30 cleanings. That’s only about
a dollar a cleaning.

With the Scotch head-clean-
ing diskette kit, you could save
yourself a lot more than just a
service call. So try this remark-
able kit today. For the name of

A Scotch cleaning diskette shown
before use, and after 15 cleanings
of recording heads.

The recording heads on your
iskette drives may be dirty—
ndthat can cause you a lot of
rief. There’s the serviceman
ou have to call when the
nachine doesn’t perform. (You
mow how much service calls
ost these days!) There’s
nachine down-time. Idle data
mtry clerks. All the other delays
i cranky machine can cause.

And that service call might
lot even be necessary.

3M solves the problem
in seconds-and leaves
your heads

“Computer Room Clean”.

The Scotch - head-cleaning

! ette kit lets you clean the
J-write heads on your
r 5V4" diskette drives. In just
;econds, without any
ssembly, mess or bother,
heads can be completely
nsed of dirt, dust, magnetic
es-all the things that can
into your machines every
And foul them up.
ist saturate the special
vhite cleaning pad in its jacket
vith the cleaning solution. Then
nsert the jacket into the disk-
ette drive and turn it on. Your
nachine does the rest. The

heads are microscopically cleaned
without wear, without abrasion.

This 3M head-cleaning
diskette kit has been evaluated
and approved by major diskette
drive manufacturers, it’s the
best possible way to clean your
heads without service calls or
machine teardowns.

the dealer nearest you, call toll
free: 800-328-1300.

(In Minnesota, call collect:
612-736-9625.) Ask for the
Data Recording Products
Division.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 53

(Not yet available for Burroughs Mini-Disk II,
Vydec or 96 TPI Drive.)

The One Printer Solution
for the Two Printer Problem.

HIGH SPEED
DATA PROCESSING

The new Dual-Mode 200 brings speed and un-
compromising print quality to business and pro-
fessional applications.

Financial statements, inventory reports, la-
bels and more are printed at data processing
speeds from 165 cps to 250 cps.

Fully adjustable tractors and a friction feed
platen provide precise forms handling for pin-
feed and single sheet paper.

Complete “Dot Control" graphics is standard
with resolution to 120 x 144 dots per inch.

Interfacing is easy with both E.I.A. RS-232C
serial and an ASCII parallel port.

LETTER QUALITY
WORD PROCESSING

The Dual-Mode 200 also features letter per
feet print you will be proud to use for business
letters and reports. Letter Mode speeds range
from 42 cps to 60 cps.

The standard Titan 10 pitch font is comple;
mented by an array of optional fonts including
Elite 12 pitch, italics, proportionally spaced
OCR-A, scientific and foreign character sets.

Up to 12 font selections may be stored in the
printer and interchanged while printing.

The Dual-Mode 200 accepts standard daisy
wheel print commands for word processing sys
tern compatibility.

It's the perfect solution for the two printe|
problem.

The Dual-Mode 200 Printer
for the one printer office.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 54

Call or write today for complete specifications

I • **

2301 Townsgate Road! Westlake Village, CA 91361 , (805) 496-1990

malibu

Electronics Corporatio

a subsidiary of Datametrlcs Corporation

DOTS DO IT BETTER

LE7TEF5

reuseability of software from project to
project; and increase transferability of
the “environment” including program-
mers, debugging tools and methods of
documentation. It is expected to
become as well known as Cobol or
Fortran. This language was developed
through coordination and sponsorship
of the military departments and agencies
of the Department of Defense.

The Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office, has
made available the Department of
Defense Reference Manual for the Ada
Programming Language. The stock
number is 008-000-00354-8.

Further information is available from
Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Dept. 50,
Washington, D.C. 20402.

C.A. La Barre
Assistant Public Printer
U.S. Government Printing Office

Sour note

Louis Frenzel’s “Learning with
Micros” (IA Feb 81) states that very
little educational software is available
for microcomputers. I am presently
involved in a project that seeks to
determine what educational programs
are available in the field of music educa-
tion and would be suitable for use in
schools. Your comments appear to echo
what I have found to date— “there are
few viable software sources.”

Cecil H. Pretty
Eugene, OR

Language interpreter

In the article “A Hardware Solution for
a Software Problem” (IA Apr 81 ), Roger
Edelson states that “the excellent
operating system. ..is apparently not
translatable into 6502 assembler lan-
guage.” The CP/A written by Shepardson
Microsystems includes a Basic and a
Business Basic (with USING) and an
editor/assembler as well as an operating
system that appears and functions like
CP/M. The documentation reads a lot
like Digital Research CP/M which means
that it is not for the novices.

Al Hamilton
Springdale, OH

Follow up with Wang

Re: WordStar Software Review (IA
Mar 81), from Alan Miller’s description,
WordStar shares many similarities with
Scripsit and Digital’s small system word
processing software. In my opinion,
these do not compare to the ease and
flexibility of Wang’s word processing
software and system. I believe it would

be very useful if you would do a follow
up article comparing WordMaster and
WordStar to Wang’s system operating
on a Wang 5 and Wang 25.

Alan D. Sugarman
New York, NY

Reader interface

I would appreciate information about
the use of computers in audio-visual
presentations. My company produces
A-V presentations that involve 3-15
slide projectors controlled by a com-
puter system designed especially for
this purpose. I would like to purchase a
non-dedicated computer that could be
used to control multiple slide projector
shows. This would allow me to use the
computer for general business pur-
poses as well. I have heard that there
are companies that customize Apple
computers for A-V applications.

Daniel Ginensky
CVM Productions
55 W. 16th St.

New York, NY 10011

My computer, the TI-99/4, is relatively
new in Australia. To my knowledge,
there are still no users groups here for
Texas Instruments. I would like to
correspond and swap ideas and pro-
grams with other users.

Shane Andersen
P.O. Box 101
Kings Cross
Sydney, Australia 2011

Is there anyone who can help me get
ahold of technical data on a Selectric-
based input-output unit labeled Edityper?
Apparently, it was a product of Epsco,
and later of Tycom Systems Corp. I’d
be grateful for the loan of a manual on it
for a few days.

Dr. Fred Orway
2901 Telestar Ct.

Falls Church, VA 22042

I am interested in learning about
the field of computer graphics. I am
presently designing greeting cards and
investigating the possibility of computer
graphics as a new career. Any informa-
tion about computer graphics would be
appreciated, especially on specialized
training or education for work in this field.

Marcia D. Allen
127 Spring Rd.
Scotia, NY 1 2302

I am seeking information on interfacing
a paper tape punch (part of an Addresso-
graph-Multigraph phototypesetting sys-
tem) to a Wang MVP computer.

Toby Mommsen
Hutterian Society of Brothers
Rifton, NY 12471

THE NEW

NEVADA

COBOL!

At $149.95 you can't buy
a better COBOL or one
residing in less memory.

Now with the new Nevada COBOL you can
use the programs developed by professional
business programmers over the past twenty
years to run the big IBM machines. And you can
develop and tailor programs on your micro and
run them on your micro or recompile and run
them on any mainframe computer. What's more
you can do it for about one-fifth the cost of
comparable COBOL compiler systems.

Almost all the popular microcomputers
work with the CP/M operating system we use
including Apple, TRS-80, North Star, Superbrain,
Cromemco and so on.

Check the features;
you'll go Nevada COBOL.

A powerful subset of ANSI-74, Nevada COBOL
requires a scant 16K of RAM. It's available on 8"
CP/M standard single density or 5-1/4" diskettes.
Price includes diskette and manual. Price for
manual only, $24.95.

Four COBOL applications packages
available too.

Four COBOL applications packages are cur-
rently available. Each is priced at $24.95 for the
diskette. The 73 page manual covering all four
applications costs an additional $24.95. The
manual carries complete COBOL source code
listings and superior documentation.

Package #1 is the Budget Plan Report
Generator. Here's an extraordinary time saver
and planning aid for both start-up and well
established businesses.

Package #2 is the Personal Financial Planner
to give you some eye opening insights into your
own personal spending habits.

Package #3 is Labels so you can print name
and address labels.

Package #4 is Pre-COBOL for use as a
pre-processor of COBOL source programs. A great
programming aid.

Order today or write for complete details.

Phone (415) 751-1522 or address Ellis
Computing, 600 41st Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121.
Nevada Cobol is also available at Lifeboat
Associates, Discount Software, Westico, Business
Micro Products, Computer Information Exchange
and other quality computer stores. Mastercard,

Visa, C.O.D.s, or checks accepted. California orders
please include sales tax.

CP/M. TRS-80 and IBM are TM's of Digital Research,
Tandy Corp and I B M respectively

ELLIS COMPUTING

SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 34 INTERFACE AGE 1 1

urutt i c

Microcomputer becomes a
fashion designer

Knit design and the microcomputer
have been interwoven in a unique program
at Sheridan College, Ontario, Canada.

Pat Gwyer, co-ordinator of Fashion
Technique and Design, said Sheridan is
the first institution in North America to
introduce the concept of computerized
knit design in its fashion curriculum. It
has never been used before in industry
or education, she said. She feels it’s

important for students to have this
knowledge of computer technology and
fashion so they are prepared for new ad-
vances when they enter the workforce.

Although there are fears that com-
puters may reduce the creativity of
students, this has not happened and
students like Dominic Bellissimo, 21,
say “it’s a different way of designing
while still using your own creativity.”

To design by computer, students
punch a button on a microcomputer’s

Cat:

Someday th
won't be a phone
without one.

The only way to realize the full potential
of your small business or personal com-
puter is to tie it in with other computers.
And the best way to do that is with a Cat
acoustic modem.

A Cat modem lets your computer talk
face to face with any other compatible
computer or terminal within reach of
your phone, over standard telephone
lines.

You can work at home using the com-
puter at your office. Send or receive data
from anywhere. Or swap programs.

Fast, accurate, reliable — and under $199.

Cat. Someday there
won’t be a computer
without one.

r&vat

ion

Tie your computer into the
Call for details

( 800 ) 423-5410

In California (213) 996-5060

Available at Hamilton/ Avnet, Kierulff Electronics. Byte Shops, Computerland,
and your local computer store.

Novation, Inc., 18664 Oxnard Street, Tarzana, California 91356

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 64

keyboard. Instantly, a design is worked
out on its video screen, which students
can decide to keep or reject. If they
keep it, a print-out is made on a sheet,
which is punched on a card, then put
into a knitting machine.

Before the computer concept was
introduced, students used pattern cards
for their machines, either pre-punched
by a manufacturer or hand-punched.
Fabric designs were limited. Students
had to knit a fabric swatch to see if they
liked the design, then modify the pattern
card if necessary, and re-knit until the
design was perfected.

Sandy Aitken, a fashion knit instructor
and a former student, said the computer
eliminates the laborious effort of first
putting a design down on graph paper.
“Now, it’s possible to get 1 5 designs in
1 5 seconds— -and then the students can
pick and choose.” It’s the difference,
she said, between having a thousand
designs to work with and now having
hundreds of thousands of designs
available to a student.

The system of using a microcomputer
to design fashion knits was developed
by Bill Apgar, an independent computer
graphics consultant. Since October
1 980, Apgar has been teaching students
in the knit design program about the
computer connection and familiarizing
them with its hardware, technology
and programming.

CRTs causing headaches for
managers and employees alike

CRT terminals are creating unexpected
problems for data processing managers.
Staff using CRTs report headaches, eye
strain, and sometimes even mental con-
fusion according to Bruce D. Sanders, a
Vacaville, CA psychologist.

Says Sanders, “Lots of DP managers
are worried about the CRTs. The
workers who are complaining are usually
the ones who put routine information
into the computer or get it out. They
work right in front of the screen for
hours at a time.

“Some users are bothered by the
high-pitched whine put out by video
tubes. On the home TV, it’s less bother-
some because you’re sitting further
from the set. Now that CRTs give color
output, the problems are even greater.
Some programmers say, ‘If we’ve got
lots of colors available, let’s use lots of
colors.’ They forget about the poor
users who have to look at those
psychedilic screens day after day.

“What makes it all tougher for the DP
manager is that the remedies aren’t
cheap. It may involve changing the com-
puter programs, and programming time

12 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

TCR 2 *

it M = TCR 2 means Microline = Total Commitment to RELIABILITY 2 with
emphasis on RELIABILITY! While OKJDATA may be a new comer to the
hobbyist, they do have nine years under their belt supplying the nations largest
OEM’s with printers that work day in and day out . . . It is this printer experience
and proven track record that makes reliability synonymous with Microline.

SPECIFICATIONS:

MICROLINE 82

MICROLINE 83

Print Speed

80 CPS bidirectionally

120 CPS bidirectionally

Logic Seeking

Standard

Tractor Feed

Optional

Standard

Columns

80/132

136/132

Character Widths

RS-232C Interface

Standard

Parallel Interface

Standard

64 Block Graphic Characters

Standard

Maximum Paper Width

9.5"

15"

Built-in Self Test

Standard

Forms Control

Standard

Print Head Warranty

200 million characters*

MTBF

3,000 hours

Extended Warranty

Optional

Your Cost

$699.00

$988.00

*300 invoices, 200 characters each, seven days a week, for over 9 years.

INPUT / OUTPUT UNLIMITED

TO ORDER
CALL COLLECT
[213] 997-7791

5922 KESTER AVENUE
VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA 91-411
Dealer Inquiries Invited

Technical support call (213) 997-7792 • California residents add 6% sales tax •
JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 46

For fastest delivery send certified check or money order

INTERFACE AGE 13

MICROSETTE

CASSETTES

Microsette, the undisputed industry
leader in short cassettes for micro-
computer applications also offers
equally high grade audio cassettes
at budget prices. Credit card buyers
may phone (415) 968-1604.

LOOK AT OUR PRICES

Length

10 Pack

50 Pack

C-10

$ 7.50

$32.50

C-20

$ 9.00

$39.00

C-60

$13.50

$57.50

C-90

$17.50

$77.50

UPS shipment in Cont. USA incl.
We can not ship to P.O. Boxes

Length

Qty.

Price

Total

SUBTOl

'AL

Calif. Cust. add Sales Tax

TOTAL

Check or money order enclosed □ -
Charge to: Visa □ Master Card □ I
Account No. I

Expiration Date

I SIGNATURE I

MICROSETTE CO.

475 Ellis Street
Mt. View, CA 94043

i inn rtwmr

uru a i c

is very costly. The manager can rotate
work to give staff time away from the
terminals, but that means training more
people to use the CRTs. Sometimes
new terminals give the operators more
control over viewing angle and bright-
ness, but a manager thinks twice before
asking to have every terminal in the
department replaced/’

New program will employ disabled
In computer careers

In keeping with President Reagan’s
objective of reducing government
spending, a new, privately funded
program for the disabled was recently
announced. Quest will train them for
employment in a wide variety of
computer-related areas, and place them
in salaried jobs in private industry.
Presently, hundreds of thousands of jobs
remain unfilled in the computer field.

Until recently, the programming and
use of computers was tedious, if not
impossible, for the blind. But an
advanced "talking” computer has been
developed by Unicos Corp., Hynnis, MA.
The computer verbally interacts with
the user, allowing the blind to hear,
rather than read, both input and output.

The program will ease the shortage of
workers, while allowing companies to
fulfill equal opportunity and affirmative
action commitments in a useful, produc-
tive manner. It can even help in areas
where mobility is a serious problem-
disabled persons can work at home,
transferring information to their em-
ployer’s computers via phone links.

Information on the Quest program is
available from National Quest Coor-
dinator, Unicos, 76 W. Main St., Hynnis,
MA 02601.

Machines containing computer
programs are eligible for patent

Computer machines are eligible for
patent protection, according to a recent
decision of the U.S. Supreme Court,
handed down in the case of Diamond
v. Bradley.

In what is generally believed to be a
landmark decision, the Supreme Court
said that a machine or a process that
otherwise meets the requirements for
patentability cannot be denied patent
protection merely because a part of the
machine or process involves a com-
puter program.

"According to this decision, claims
must be considered as a whole by the
patent office,” said N. Prasinos, the
patent lawyer who represented Honey-
well Corp. of Waltham, MA. "The
decision clears up much of the confusion

in the patent law pertaining to the
patentability of computer-related inven-
tions,” he said. "It is now clear that a
process or a machine is patentable— as
they always have been— even though
they involve a computer program.”

The Bradley decision stems from a
patent application John J. Bradley and
Benjamin S. Franklin, Honeywell com-
puter scientists, filed in the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office in April 1975. The
invention comprises what is described as
"an apparatus permanently incorporated
into the Honeywell Level 64 medium
scale computer which can dynamically
change the physical capabilities of
the computer machine. The invention,
among other things, enables the com-
puter to operate as a business model
or alternately as a scientific model,
according to the computer workload or
application requirements.”

In declaring that a computer machine
was no different from any other machine
which historically has enjoyed patent
protection, the Supreme Court said that
claims must be considered as a whole.

Engineer devises terminal
to aid the partially-sighted

A computer terminal that enables
partially-sighted persons and some who
are legally blind to work with computers
has been invented by M. Daniel
Simkovita, a partially sighted engineer
at Wayne State University, Detroit, Ml.

The Low Vision Terminal (LVTS)
allows people with poor vision to read
computer output by enlarging individual
letters to more than 3 inches in height
while the user scans the output at a
manageable reading sfreed. The size of
the letters and the speed are both con-
trolled by the user. A specially-designed
microprocessor-based system and an
ordinary TV screen are used.

The terminal has a memory unit that
enables the operator to review material
already displayed, either horizontally one
line at a time or by scrolling vertically
back and forth through the text.

Dr. Edward Fisher, associate dean for
research and graduate programs at
Wayne State University says, "There
are already devices and programs for
those who are totally blind, but, up until
now, there hasn’t been anything for the
partially sighted.”

Other applications that he sees are
for the secretary who suffers from eye
strain after reading a regular screen for
8 hours. "We think it would be helpful
to enlarge the lettering toward the end
of the day. The secretary would be able
to control the size and speed of the
letters to suit her needs,” he reports.

14 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

datasouth announces. ••

THE TOTAL PRINTER RACKAAE!

With so many matrix printers on the market today, it may seem
tough to find exactly the right one for your application. Some
models may offer the speed you need, others the communications
flexibility and still others the forms handling capability. But no
printer offers all the features you need . . . until now.

The DS180 matrix printer provides the total package of perfor-
mance features and reliability required for applications such as
CRT slave copy, remote terminal networks and small to mid-range
systems. Not a “hobby-grade’’ printer, the DS180 is a real work-
horse designed to handle your most demanding printer require-
ments. And pricing on the DS180 is hundreds of dollars below
competitive units.

High Speed Printing— Bidirectional, logic-seeking printing at
180 cps offers throughput of over 200 ipm on average text. A
9-wire printhead life-tested at 650 million characters generates
a 9x7 matrix with true lower case descenders and underlining.
Non-volatile Format Retention -a unique programming keypad
featuring a non-volatile memory allows the user to configure the
DS180 for virtually any application. Top of form, horizontal and
vertical tabs, perforation skipover, communications parameters

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 26

4740 Dwight Evans Road • Charlotte,

and many other features may be programmed and stored from the
keypad.When your system is powered down, the format is retained
in memory. The DS180 even remembers the line where you stopped
printing. There is no need to reset the top of form, margins, baud
rate. etc.... it's all stored in the memory. If you need to recon-
figure for another application, simply load a new format into the
memory.

Communications Versatility- The DS180 offers three interfaces
including RS232, current loop and 8-bit parallel. Baud rates from
110-9600 may be selected. A IK buffer and X-on, X-off hand-
shaking ensure optimum throughput.

Forms Handling Flexibility-Adjustable tractors accommodate
forms from 3 ”-15 ”. The adjustable head can print 6-part forms
crisply and clearly making the DS180 ideal for printing multipart
invoices and shipping documents. Forms can be fed from the front
or the bottom.

If you would like more information on how the DS180’s low-cost
total printer package can fill your application, give us a call at
Datasouth. The DS180 is available for 30-day delivery from our
sales/service distributors throughout the U.S.

data©®*

computer corporation

North Carolina 28210 • 704/523-8500

The System 2800 is the next logical step in the
continuing line of innovative products from the
Systems Group.

Unbeatable S-100 Memory Boards

First was the development of the DMB6400
series of S-100 Memory boards featuring the

innovative Bank
Select switching
technique. This
enables users to
software select
up to four totally
independent
memory banks
per board.

The 2nd Generation

Then came the 2nd Generation of IEEE S-100
COMPATIBLE Z80 PROCESSORS, FLOPPY DISK
CONTROLLERS and SERIAL I/O BOARDS. Each
has been designed for single user, multi-user or

network operating systems
such as CP/M® ,

MP/M™, CP/Net™
and OASIS™.

The Next
Logical Step ...

We challenged our design team to create an
innovative yet competitive system utilizing our
existing line of field proven, dependable S-100
boards. The result: a highly reliable, quality built,
state of the art microcomputer that gives you
the cost/performance edge you need to be a
leader in your field.

The System 2800 comes with a choice of
operating systems: CP/M with an enhanced
CBIOS for single user systems and either MP/M
or OASIS for multi-user, multi-tasking systems.
MP/M is available with either a standard or

CP/M MP/M and CP/Net are trademarks of Digital Research
OASIS is a trademark of Phase One Systems

16 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

enhanced XIOS. The CP/M based System 2800
provides improved diagnostic reporting capability
and increased sector sizes of 1024 bytes yielding
disk performance throughput increases up to
400% over standard unblocked systems.

The enhanced multi-user, multi-tasking MP/M
based System 2800 provides the same advanced
features as CP/M. In addition, this interrupt
driven implementation can offer performance
throughput increases up to 2000% thru
extensive disk buffering for applications
requiring a large number of disk accesses.

Also available is the OASIS operating system
with ISAM files, automatic record locking and
multiple-user print spooling.

All operating systems are available in either
floppy or hard disk configurations. The disk
drive selection includes single or double sided,
double density 8-inch floppies with up to 2.52
megabytes of formatted storage per system,
expandable to 5.04 megabytes, and an 8-inch 10
megabyte winchester hard disk.

Cost Effective Reliability

Dealers, OEM’s and System Integrators share
many common needs. Not the least of these is
dependable products. That’s why we back our
System 2800 with our established reputation for
high quality products, superior support, prompt
and courteous service, and a one-year warranty.

Take the next logical step. See your nearest
computer dealer, or contact us for the complete
story on our S-100 family of board products and
enhanced systems.

Systems

Group

a Division of MEASUREMENT systems &. controls

incorporated

1601 Orangewood Ave.

Orange, Calif. USA 92668

(714) 633-4460 TWX/TELEX: 678 401 TAB IRIN

For International Sales Inquiries contact: SIGMA INTERNATIONAL, INC., P.O.
Box 1118, Scottsdale, AZ 85252 USA (602) 994-3435 / Telex 165 745 Sigma

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 56

INTERFACE AGE 17

THE ORIGINAL MAGAZINE FOR
OWNERS OF THE TRS-80 1 "* MICROCOMPUTER

* TRS-80 T “ IS A TRADEMARK OF TANDY CORP.

SOFTWARE
FOR TRS-80**
OWNERS

CQMPJTRQNICS

MONTHLY
NEWSMAGAZINE
FOR TRS-80 '**
OWNERS

MONTHLY NEWSMAGAZINE

Practical Support For Model I, II & III

• PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

• BUSINESS

• GAMBLING • GAMES

• EDUCATION

• PERSONAL FINANCE

• BEGINNER S CORNER

• NEW PRODUCTS

• SOFTWARE EXCHANGE

• MARKET PLACE

• QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

• PROGRAM PRINTOUTS
AND MORE

NOW IN OUR 4th YEAR

PROGRAMS AND ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN RECENT ISSUES
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• FINCALC - A COMPLETE FINANCIAL APPLICATIONS PACKAGE

• INFORMATION SYSTEM REVIEW

• STATISTICAL COMBINATIONS

• PASCAL’S TRIANGLE

• ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE FOR BEGINNERS

• DISK FILES

• MOD-III REVIEW

• KEYBOARD THUNDER AND LIGHTING EXPLAINED

• DOS COMMANDS IN LEVEL II

• PROBABILITY CURVE GENERATOR

• CALCULATOR SIMULATIONS

• THE MEGABYTE GAP

• STOCKS AND BONDS

• BUDGET ANALYSIS (FOR BUSINESS AND HOME)

• NEWDOS/80 REVIEW

• DUTCHING - THE HORSE SYSTEM THAT CANT LOSE

• A SIMULATED GOLF GAME

• CONTINUOUS FORM SOURCES

• TAX/SAVER REVIEW
AND MORE

FINCALC

A Complete Financial Analysis Package Used

To Calculate Markup, Margin, Annuities, Compound Interest, Nominal
O* - And Effective Rates, Sinking Funds, Mortgage Calculations, Future Value,
Savings and Insurance, Percentage Difference Between Two Numbers,
Amortization Schedule and More

SEND FOR OUR NEW 64 PAGE SOFTWARE CATALOG (INCLUDING LISTINGS OF HUNDREDS OF TRS-80” PROGRAMS AVAILABLE ON
CASSETTE AND DISKETTE). $2.00 OR FREE WITH EACH SUBSCRIPTIONS OR SAMPLE ISSUE

* All programs are supplied on cassette (add $3 for Diskette Version - add $5 for modified Mod-II Version).

iCQMPlJTRQNICS;

(VIATVOVIATCAL APPAJCATOSS S€OV1C£

50 N. PASCACK ROAD
SPRING VALLEY, NEW YORK 10977

ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION $24

TWO YEAR SUBSCRIPTION $48

SAMPLE OF LATEST ISSUE $ 4

NEW TOLL-FREE

ORDER LINE

(OUTSIDE OF N.Y. STATE)

(800) 431-2818

START MY SUBSCRIPTION WITH ISSUE

(#1 - July 1978 • #12 - June 1979 • #24 - July 1980 • #30 - January 1981)

NEW SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL

HOUR

24 ORDER

LINE

(914) 425-1535

CREDIT CARD NUMBER

EXP DATE.

SIGNATURE

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE

ZIP

*** ADD $12/ YEAR (CANADA, MEXICO) - ADD S24/YEAR AIR MAIL - OUTSIDE OF U.S.A., CANADA & MEXICO ***

18 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 19

JULY 1981

juRispRuOent

computeRisr"

Technological Legal and Tax Update

In the March column, I reported that a 25% R&D (research
and development) tax credit “began" Jan. 1 , 1981 . My infor-
mation source was Commerce Clearing House Federal Tax
Reports, Pending Legislation, paragraph 6167, dated Sept. 3,
1980. This credit has not been enacted. The status of the
credit is presently unknown, even to the IRS National Office
in Washington, D.C.

It is probably pigeon-holed in a Congressional sub-
committee, pending resolution of the present administration’s
tax package. I will notify readers via this column as soon as I
hear further definitive information.

Nondisclosure agreements

These ultra important agreements in the protection of
proprietary property have, in my experience, been misunder-
stood, misused or, worse, nonexistent. Usually such agree-
ments operate in two environments.

First, an inventor, designer, programmer desiring to seek
funds or marketing assistance for his project needs strong
legal protection prior to disclosing proprietary information to
his potential investors. They, in turn, need full disclosure of
the information in order to estimate its commercial worth.

All too frequently, inventors hold back information that is
vital to the investment decision, thus negating the transaction
because of fear of unauthorized disclosure and usage of their
information. Such fear is justifiable. It can be practically
eliminated by a correctly drawn nondisclosure agreement.
Unlike other legal documents, such agreements are usually
under several pages in length.

An attorney who is on the ball will not only utter “nondis-
closure agreement" immediately after a developer even briefly
discusses the object of his consultation, but should ask his
client if he (the attorney) should also sign the agreement.

One universal rule must always be followed in preparing
such agreements. Never should an offer to sell or an offer to
grant the option be inserted into the agreement unless
applicable “Blue Skies" securities have been carefully con-
sulted. In California, for example, such an offer can produce
criminal and civil penalties.

The second situation in which nondisclosure agreements
are important is in the employer-employee relationship. In a
recent case (Cybertek Computer Products, Inc. v. Whitefield
et al., CA) a company employee signed a nondisclosure
agreement relating to computer software trade secrets he
had acquired from his company. Subsequently, the employee
voluntarily left the employ of the company and joined a com-
peting firm. Cybertek sued the competing firm for, among
other things, relief by injunction for its former employee use
of trade secrets, acquired while in Cybertek’s employ.

The employee’s argument in court was that California law
prohibits an employer from preventing a former employee
from competing against the prior employer and, therefore,

Nondisclosure agreements
have been misunderstood ,
misused , or nonexistent...

the nondisclosure agreements were illegal and unenforceable.
(This argument is correct in California.)

The court found against the employee (actually his new
employer) by holding that, although an employer cannot
prevent a former employee from competition in the same
area, computer software is a trade secret of proprietary value
and is capable of protection.

Two points are interesting to note in this case. First, the
contents of the employee’s memory can be enjoined from
disclosure to a new employer, even though the human
memory is not recorded in a tangible medium. Second, the
case arrived in court because, as the court pointed out in its
legal decision: “Said nondisclosure agreement is not ideally
drafted, and leaves room for interpretation." “Room for
interpretation" means unnecessary legal fees.

Parting shots

The purpose of this column is to serve as an informational
and planning tool. Two common mistakes are made among
computer folk— improperly prepared legal agreements and
poor tax planning for business operations. I frequently read
legal documents relating to computer applications that frankly
are not worth the paper they are typed on. A worse situation
is to develop a modern technological concept into a commer-
cially successful product or service, only to be taxed back
into the Stone Age. A plan for business operations should be
definitively set down on paper, with forecasted legal and tax
consequences. If the latter two categories are not nailed
down, wave goodbye to part of your deductions and profit. □

Main/Frames $200

Main/Frames - $200

• 14 Basic Models Available

• Assembled & Tested

• Power Supply:

8v@15A, ± 16v@3A

• 15 Slot Motherboard ^

(connectors optional) V

• Card cage & guides '

• Fan, line cord, fuse, power
& reset switches, EMI filter

• 8v@30A, ± 16v@10A
option on some models

jpP* Rack
mounted
Main/Frame

8" Floppy Main/Frame
(includes power for
drives and main/frames)

Write or call for our
brochure which includes our
application note:
‘Building Cheap Computers’

INTEGRAND

8474 Ave. 296 • Visalia, CA 93277 • (209) 733-9288
We accept BankAmericard/Visa and MasterCharge

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 47

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 19

III.

BAKER'S

GAME
CORNER

The Software Clock

This month’s program came from Paul Ruby of Rochester,
PA. He sent in a clock program written for the TRS-80 Color
Computer and I have converted it to run on the Apple. The pro-
gram lets you set the clock accurately and set an alarm, and it
even ticks off the seconds. It also functions as a stopwatch.

Type the program from lines 10 to 190 exactly as shown.
Do not leave out the remarks or the clock will not be accurate.
You can leave out the remarks in the remainder of the program,
if you want. Run the program. If you want to set an alarm,
respond yes when asked and enter the hour and minute you
want the alarm to sound. The clock uses the 1 2 hour format,
so don’t be alarmed if it goes off at 6:00 PM instead of
6:00 AM. Now set the clock. Type in the current hour, then
enter the next minute. At the instant the next minute begins,
press RETURN again. The clock will start.

TERMINALS FROM TRANSNET

PURCHASE PLAN • 12-24 MONTH FULL OWNERSHIP PUN • 36 MONTH LEASE PUN

DEC

TEXAS

INSTRUMENTS

DATAMEDIA

LEAR SIEGLER

HAZELTINE

TELEVIDEO

NEC SPINWRITER

HEWLETT PACKARD

CENTRONICS

DESCRIPTION

PURCHASE

PRICE

PER MONTH
12M0S 24M0S.

M M0S.

LA36DECwriter II

$1,095

SI 05

$ 58

$ 40

LA34 OECwriter IV

995

LA34 DECwriter IV Forms Ctrl. .

1,095

105

LAI 20 DECwriter III KSR

2,295

220

122

LAI 20 DECwriter III RO

2,095

200

112

VT100 CRT DECscope

1,595

153

VT132 CRT DECscope

1,995

190

106

TI745 Portable Terminal

1,595

153

TI765 Bubble Memory Terminal

2,595

249

138

TI783 Portable KSR, 120 CPS .

1,745

167

TI785 Portable KSR, 120 CPS .

2,395

230

128

TI787 Portable KSR, 120 CPS .

2,845

273

152

102

TI810 RO Printer

1,895

182

102

TI820 KSR Printer

2,195

211

117

DT80/1 CRT Terminal

1,695

162

DT80/5 APL CRT

2,095

200

112

DT80/5L APL 15 CRT

2,295

220

122

ADM3A CRT Terminal

875

ADM31CRT Terminal

1,450

139

ADM42 CRT Terminal

2,195

211

117

1420 CRT Terminal

945

1500 CRT Terminal

1,095

105

1552 CRT Terminal

1,295

125

920 CRT Terminal

895

950 CRT Terminal

1,075

103

Letter Quality, 55/15 R0

2,895

278

154

104

Letter Quality, 55/25 KSR

3,295

316

175

119

Letter Quality KSR, 55 CPS ...

3,395

326

181

123

Letter Quality R0, 55 CPS

2,895

278

154

104

2621 A CRT Terminal

1,595

153

2621 P CRT Terminal

2,750

263

154

730 Desk Top Printer

715

737 W/P Desk Top Printer

895

FULL OWNERSHIP AFTER 12 OR 24 MONTHS • 10% PURCHASE OPTION AFTER 36 MONTHS

ACCESSORIES AND PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT

ACOUSTIC COUPLERS • MODEMS • THERMAL PAPER • RIBBONS • INTERFACE MODULES • aOPPY DISK UNITS

OTHER POPULAR TERMINALS, COMPUTER PERIPHERALS AND COMPUTERS AVAILABLE.

Trans Net CORPORATION

1945 ROUTE 22 • UNION, N.J. 07083 • (201) 688-7800

TWX 710-985-5485

If you want to use the clock as a stopwatch, run the program,
don’t set an alarm, and type in a starting time of 0 hours and 0
minutes. When the event you are timing begins, press
RETURN. At the instant the event stops, press RETURN, or
any other key, and the clock will stop, giving you the duration
of the event.

As a stopwatch, this program can be quite useful, but don’t
run your life by it. For one thing, the clock is an extremely trivial
use for an Apple computer. For another, it isn’t very accurate.
Software clocks rarely are. I suspect that this clock is accurate
within a few seconds each hour— but just barely. After 24
hours it will be quite inaccurate. It is designed to be used
more as a toy than a true timepiece. As such, it is a lot of fun.

Lines 2000 to 2260 are the original TRS-80 program. Paul
provided two additional changes to the program, which are
also shown. The second, an alarm, was added to the final
product. The first, generating a sound every hour, was
replaced by a tick each second.

Now look at the final product. Line 1000 clears the TV
screen and lines 1010 through 1060 obtain the hour and
minute of the alarm setting, if any. Look at line 1 020. If the user
doesn’t want an alarm, the hour of the alarm is set to 99. This
creates a simple way of eliminating the alarm without having
to put a special test in the timing loop of the program. The
program will always test for the alarm time. It just won’t ever
find it. Finally, the user sets the clock on lines 1080 to 1130.

The clock loop is between lines 110 and 190. Tenths of
seconds are kept in variable “C”, minutes in “F”, and hours
in “G”. Line 120 updates the minutes counter every time
600 tenths of a second go past. Likewise, lines 130 and 140
do the same for minutes and hours. To make the clock a 24
hour clock, change the 1 2 to a 23 and the 1 to 0 in line 140. 1
recommend against this because the clock will run fast from
midnight to 1 :00 AM. This can be corrected by changing the
12 to 24 and leaving the 1 alone. Then it isn’t a true 24
hour clock, but it eliminates the problem of zeros. But more
on this later.

Line 160 prints the clock on the screen. The extra blanks
at the end of the line clean off the tenths of a second at the
start of the next second. Applesoft Basic doesn’t clear to the
end of a print line automatically. Look closely at line 1 50. Yes,
VTAB is on the line twice, and no, it isn’t a mistake. While
timing the clock, I finally go to where changing the timing loop
on line 1 85 made the clock either too slow, or a tiny bit too
fast. This extra and unnecessary VTAB made the clock’s
speed just right.

The stopwatch function is performed on lines 170, 240,
and 250. If a key is pressed, the memory location at - 1 6384
becomes greater than 127, and the computer goes to line
240. Lines 240 and 250 ring the bell (CHR$(7)), and loop
forever. Lines 180 and 250 control the alarm. If the current
hour and minute match the alarm hour and minute, line 230
loops forever while constantly ringing the bell.

The Apple speaker can be triggered by looking at memory
location -16336. Line 183 does this twice to cause a
ticking sound whenever the clock marks off a second. This
happens when there are no tenths of a second, or when
INT(C/10)*10 = C. Prove to yourself that this is true only
when “C” is a multiple of 10.

Line 1 85 is the timing loop. Here is the logic that forces the
Apple to make the loop from line 1 10 to 190 in exactly one
tenth of a second. In building this loop, I encountered one
major problem. It takes the Apple a lot less time to test the
value of “F” in line 130 and print its value in line 160 when
F = 0. Thus the loop on line 1 85 cycles 9 times when F = 0 and
only two times when F>0. This solves the problem with zeros
and the program is a reasonably accurate software clock.

Reader response

Some readers have proposed that we publish their con-
verted versions (in Applesoft Basic) of the Mining the Asteroids
game (IA Dec 80). The first version I receive that works will

20 INTERFACE AGE circle inquiry no. 83

JULY 1981

CUM

*Utt

builds

hen Stein

oncert gran
romise on q

don l

Neither do we.

The low price is deceiving. Synertek Systems Corpo-
ration allows no compromise in the versatility, reliabil-
ity, and quality of the KTM-3.

This complete, low-cost terminal offers no-frills, solid
performance. With its power supply and connecting
cables, the KTM-3 requires only a CRT monitor or tele-
vision screen to provide a functioning system for data
entry and display.

The KTM-3 incorporates all the latest features of
standard terminals such as:

• Choice of character screen size:

24x80 characters in the KTM-3/8 0
24x40 characters in the KTM-3

• 110 to 19.2K baud

• 7x9 character matrix in an 8 x 1 0 field

• "CAPS LOCK" key

• 128 ASCII characters with descenders

• Full and half duplex with modem control

• Built-in power supply and cables included

• Scrolling and full cursor control

• Display of framing and parity errors

• Auto key-repeat

• Debug mode (Display of control characters)

• Built-in diagnostics

• 50/60 Hz operation with 220 volt version available
STARTING AT $389,

OUR PRICE WILL BE MUSIC TO YOUR EARS.

Er '

Hu & *■

fern Stale um\j

_ CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 77

bynertek

Systems

Corporation

150 S. Wolfe Road Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Telephone: (408) 988-5689
TWX: 910-338-0135

#14 SOFTWARE

CP/M users: specify disk systems and formats. Most formats available.

CP/M

ARTIFICIAL

INTELLIGENCE v O'

^ Medical $849/$40

✓ Dental $849/$40

COMPLETE BUS. SYSTEM

Creator $269/525

Reporter $169/$20

Both $399/$45

COMPUTER CONTROL

Fabs $159/$20

UltraSort II $159/$25

COMPUTER PATHWAYS

Pearl (level 1) $ 99/$25

Pearl (level 2) $299/$40

Pearl (level 3) $549/$65

DIGITAL RESEARCH

CP/M 2.2

NorthStar $ 149/525

TRS-80 Model II (P&T).$ 159/535

Micropolis $169/525

Cromemco $ 1 89/525

PL/l-80 $459/535

BT-80 $179/525

Mac $ 85/515

Sid $ 65/515

Z-Sid $ 95/515

Tex $ 70/515

DeSpool $ 50/510

DYNAMIC MICRO-
PROCESSOR ASSOC.

Ascom $109/515

CBS $369/545

DMA-DOS $179/535

GRAHAM-DORIAN

General Ledger $729/540

Acct Receivable $729/540

Acct Payable $729/540

Job Costing $729/540

Payroll $493/540

Inventory $493/540

Cash Register $493/540

Apartment Mgt $493/540

KEY BITS

String/80 $ 84/520

String/80 (source) $279/$na

WordSearch $179/525

MICRO-AP

S-Basic $269/525

Selector III $269/525

Selector IV $469/535

MICRO DATA BASE
SYSTEMS

HDBS $269/535

MDBS $795/540

DRS or QRS or RTL $269/535
MDBS PKG $1295/560

MICROPRO

WordStar $324/560

Customization Notes $ 89/$na

Mail-Merge $114/525

WordStar/ Mail-Merge. $434/585

DataStar $249/560

Word Master $119/540

SuperSort I $199/540

MICROSOFT

Basic-80 $294/530

Basic Compiler $329/530

Fortran-80 5349/530

Cobol-80 $574/530

^ M-Sort $125/520

Macro-80 $144/520

Edit-80 $ 84/520

MuSimp/MuMath 5224/525

MuLisp-80 $174/520

ORGANIC SOFTWARE

TextWriter III $111/520

Date Book $269/525

^ Milestone 5269/525

OSBORNE

General Ledger $ 59/520

Acct Rec/Acct Pay $ 59/520

Payroll w/Cost $ 59/520

All 3 $129/557

All 3 + CBASIC-2 $199/571

PEACHTREE’'

General Ledger $399/540

Acct Receivable $399/540

Acct Payable $399/540

Payroll $399/540

Inventory $399/540

Property Mgt $799/540

CPA Client Write-up. . .5799/540

Mailing Address $349/540

SOFTWARE WORKS

Adapt $ 69/$na

Ratfor $ 86/5 na

SOHO GROUP

MatchMaker $ 97/520

Worksheet $177/520

STRUCTURED SYSTEMS

GL or AR or AP or Pay $599/540

Inventory Control $449/540

Analyst $199/525

QSort $ 89/520

SUPERSOFT

Forth (8080 or Z80). . $149/525

Diagnostic II $ 84/520

Other less 10%

TCS

GL or AR orAPorPay $ 79/525
All 4 $269/599

WHITESMITHS

"C” Compiler $600/530

Pascal (incl “C”) $850/545

DATA BASE”

F MS-80 $649/545

dBASE II $629/550

Condor $599/530

T.I.M $329/535

PASCAL

Pascal/MT+ $429/530

Pascal/Z $349/530

Pascal/UCSD $299/530

✓ Pascal/M $189/520

WORD PROCESSING

SpellGuard $249/525

Spell Binder $349/545

Magic Wand $289/545

VTS/80 $489/565

OTHER GOODIES

Tiny "C” $ 89/550

Tiny "C" Compiler $229/550

✓ CBASIC-2 $ 98/520

Nevada Cobol $ 1 29/525

MicroStat $224/515

Vedit $ 99/515

Prof Time Bill (Asyst). $549/540

ESQ-1 $1349/550

MiniModel $449/550

StatPak $449/540

Micro B + $229/540

X BSTAM $149/510

APPLE II"

MICROSOFT

Softcard

$292

Fortran

$179

Cobol

.5574

PERSONAL SOFTWARE

* Visicalc

$ 99

CCA Data Mgr

$ 84

✓ Desktop/Plan II

$159

Visiplot

.5149

^ Visitrend/Visiplot

$229

✓ Visidex

$159

✓ Visiterm

.5129

Zork

$ 34

PEACHTREE*

General Ledger

.5224/540

Acct Receivable

.5224/540

Acct Payable

$224/540

Payroll

.5224/540

Inventory

$224/540

OTHER GOODIES

Super-Text II

.5127

Data Factory

$129

DB Master

$159

Ledger Plus

$549

Charles Mann less 1 5%

STC less 1 5%

^ IUS less 15%

ORDERS ONLY-CALL TOLL FREE VISA • MASTERCHARGE
1-800-854-2003 ext 823 • Calif. 1-800-522-1500 ext. 823
Overseas — add $10 plus additional postage • Add $2.50 postage and handling
per each item • California residents add 6% sales tax • Allow 2 weeks on checks,
C O D. ok • Prices subject to change without notice All items subject
to availability • ® — Mfgs. Trademark.

THE DISCOUNT SOFTWARE GROUP

6520 Selma Avenue, #309 • Los Angeles, CA 90028 • (213) 666-7677

probably be used in this column. This will be my ongoing policy
on program conversions submitted. Awarding the race to the
earliest sender seems to be the American way.

Regarding the Player Piano program (IA Jun 80), Dick Plum
of Holmdel, NJ has a complaint that other readers share. He
owns an Apple III and was unable to run the program. It seems
that neither Dick, nor (presumably) the people at the store
where he bought his Apple, had ever heard of Apple’s
Programmer’s Aid #1 . You can obtain more information about
this product by calling Apple at (408) 996-1010. I suspect
that there is no equivalent product for the Apple III.

R. Farace was also unable to run Player Piano because of
“many error messages.’’ Readers who have trouble with a
program from this column should send me a listing. If you
don’t have a printer, your local computer store should be
happy to print one for you, as long as you don’t abuse the
privilege. I can’t help you without one.D

Revised Apple listing

60 REM
70 COSUB 1000
8 0 RF.M

90 REM THE MAIN CLOCK LOOP

100 REM

110 C - C + 1

120 IF C > 599 THEN F - F + 1:C = 0
130 IF F > 59 THEN C - G + IsF - 0

140 IF G > 12 THEN G - 1

150 HTAB 16: VTAB 10: VTAB 10
160 PRINT G; " : " ;F; “ : " ;C / 10;”

170 IF PEEK ( - 16384) > 127 THEN 240
180 IF H * G AND M - F THEN 230

183 TF INT (C / 10) * 10 - C THEN X = PEEK ( - 16336):

X - PFFK ( - 163 36) :X - FRE (0)

185

FOR T -

1 TO 9 - 7 * (F > 0) :

NEXT T

190

GOTO 11

200

REM

210

REM ALARM AND STOP WATCH ENDINGS

220

REM

230

PR T NT

CHR$ (7);: GOTO 230

240

CHRS (7)

250

GOTO 250

970

REM

980

REM SET UP CLOCK

990

REM

1000

CALL

- 936

1010

INPUT

"SET ALARM ( Y , N ) ? ";AS

1020

H - 99

1030

IF A$

- "N" THEN 1070

1040

TF AS

< > T THEN 1000

1050

INPUT

"SET HOUR «" ; H

1060

INPUT

"SET MINUTE -“ ;M

1070

: PRINT

1080

INPUT

"STARTING HOUR -" ;G

1090

INPUT

"NEXT MINUTE -”;F

1 100

C - 0

1 110

INPUT

"PRESS RETURN AT START

OF MINUTE

1 120

CALL

- 936

1130

RETURN

Original TRS-80 listing

2010

REM

CLS

2020

REM

G-i : F-0: C-0

2030

REM

C-C+ .091

2040

REM

IF 059 THEN F-F+l

2050

REM

TF 059 THEN C-0

2060

REM

IF F> 59 THEN G-G+l

2070

REM

IF F> 59 THEN F-0

2080

REM

IF 012 THEN G-l

2090

REM

PRINT @ 2 3 2 ,G " : ”

2100

REM

PRINT 0 2 3 6 , F " : "

2110

RFM

PRINT @240,1 NT( C )

2120

REM

GOTO 20

2130

REM

2140

REM

TO ADD TONE AT EACH HOUR

2150

REM

2160

REM

C-C+.099

2170

REM

IF F-0 AND C-0 THEN S0UND168,1

2180

REM

2190

REM

TO ADD AN ALARM

2 200

REM

2210

REM

C-C+.l 04

2220

REM

IF G-l AND F-0 AND C-0 THEN SOUND:

2230

REM

2240

REM

TO FIX TIME IF ADDING BOTH

22 50

REM

2260

REM

C-C+.l 13

22 INTERFACE AGE CIRCLE inquiry no. 28

JULY 1981

The Magical
Microline 80 Printer

It’s magic! Well, almost. The Microline 80 will run
all day at 80 cps with no duty cycle limitations.
The head is warranted for 200,000,000 characters.
That translates to over nine years on your
TRS-80™ APPLE' or other small computer.

Want to change forms? The magical Microline 80
is three printers disguised as one. There is a
whisper-quiet rubber platen for cut sheets and roll
paper, pins on nine inch centers for pin feed stock
and optional snap-on tractors that adjust to suit
all your other forms. The Microline 80 also saves
paper by letting you tear off as close as one inch
from the last print line.

Want to change your image? The magical
Microline 80 really does tricks. It prints upper

and lower case, condensed and double width
characters and block graphics for charts, graphs
and diagrams.

The Microline 80 is not a toy. With two motors, a
rugged cast aluminum base and a head you never
have to throw away, the Microline 80 is built to
handle the most demanding business applica-
tions.

Which brings us to the biggest magic of all. the
price tag, the one that almost disappears. If we’re
not the lowest, we are so close that it doesn't mat-
ter. There are stocking Microline distributors
throughout the country. Call or write today for the
name of the one near you and the price of the
Magical Microline 80.

OKIDATA

Okidata Corporation, 111 Gaither Drive, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054 609-235-2600

Okidata is a subsidiary of Oki Electric Industry Company, Ltd.

JULY 1981 circle inquiry no. 66 INTERFACE AGE 23

We’ve lowered the

No, the low CompuServe $5.00 per hour charge
hasn’t changed, but the world of information
we offer is growing steadily.

Of CompuServe’s 22 large computer systems, 10 are
housed here in our Dublin, Ohio Computer Center.

More Computer Power

The number of CompuServe customers
keeps growing — now more than 8,000
strong. The more customers we have, the
more computer power and access lines we
dedicate to our Information Service. Our
22 mainframe computer systems provide
sufficient power and capacity to serve
thousands more.

More News

In addition to the Associated Press, we’ve
added more news. Read The New York
Times and all the news that’s fit to print,
including Broadway show and movie
reviews, stories from Pulitzer Prize-winning

writers and more. We are continually
adding new features to the information
service, so check our “What’s New”
section regularly to see what other
information is available.

TRS-80® Color Computer
and Videotex®

The CompuServe Information Service is
sold in Radio Shack® Stores and, in
addition to all the major brands of com-
puters and terminals, can be used with
the new TRS-80 Color Computer and
Videotex terminal. Our special software
formats the information in easy-to-read
pages. Go forward, backward, anywhere
in the CompuServe Information Service
databases — even directly to a page of
information.

Big System Reliability

When we say we’re reliable, we mean it.

In fact CompuServe computers were up
and running for a 99.6 percent reliability
factor last year. We’ve also built in many
“invisible” features like data error detection
and retransmission— all those technical
enhancements which add up to the
CompuServe Information Service being
ready to use when you’re ready to use it.

Radio Shack, TRS-80 and Videotex are trademarks of Tandy Corporation.
ATARI is a trademark of ATARI, Inc.

24 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

cost of the world.

Access to all the
CompuServe services,
including electronic mail;
bulletin board; CB
simulation; newsletters from
Radio Shack®, Atari®, and
others; up to128K storage free
plus all the services listed
here are yours. Access time
is only 8V3 cents per minute
between 6 PM and 5 AM
weekdays and all day
weekends, billed to your
charge card. It’s a local
■ phone hook-up in more

than 260 U.S. cities.

There’s an energy
management system,
home repair tips,
discount information,
personal health infor-
mation and more.
Better Homes &
Gardens provides
household
information such
as recipes,
nutritional
analyses and
meal plans.

All kinds of games
(including some for the
kids), book and movie
reviews, astrology and
the latest sporting event
news — even point
spreads and injury lists.
There’s the

CompuServe line printer
art gallery and even a
national user opinion poll
for instant feedback on
current events.

Finance

A complete program.

The AP financial wire,
newspaper financial
pages, Raylux Financial
Advisory Service, the
Commodity News
Service and personal
financial programs. At
a slight additional
charge, you can
retrieve fundamental
financial data on
more than 1,700
companies from
Value Line, and MicroQuote offers current and historical
data and special market reports on more than 40,000
stocks, bonds and options, updated daily.

While the

CompuServe

Information

Service is

designed for

everyone,

MicroNET

Personal

Computing

is for the

knowledgeable

computer

hobbyist or

business

person. You can buy software and have it downloaded
directly to your person computer. Use programming
languages such as APL-SF, EXTENDED BASIC,
MACRO-IO, SNOBOL, EXTENDED FORTRAN and
PASCAL, use word processing and text editing
programs.

Not 1985, NOW!

See for yourself what a state-of-the-art electronic
information service can do. Get a demonstration at
a Radio Shack® computer center or store— or write
to us for further information.

CompuServe

Information Service Division
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.

Columbus, Ohio 43220
(614) 457-8600

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 12

INTERFACE AGE 25

GUARANTEED RELIABLE
FOR 2 FULL YEARS.

Unprecedented product reliability deserves an
unprecedented warranty. IMS International
provides its dealers with both.

Our commitment is real.

We are so confident that our products are the
industry standard in reliability, we stand behind
them for two full years from date-of-sale to the
end user. All IMS manufactured products are
covered.

The success of our dealers will insure our
continued growth. That's why IMS International

is committed to providing every IMS dealer with
these distinct advantages in today's marketplace:

• 2 year warranty

• Low retail cost

• Best margins in the industry

• Protected territories

• Full factory technical support

• Complete system delivery in 30 days

• Comprehensive advertising and promotional
support

For more information about IMS International's
"Reliables" and our unique dealer plan, call
714/978-6966 or write us:

INTERNATIONAL

2800 Lockheed Way
Carson City, NV 89701
Telex: 910-395-6051

26 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 40

JULY 1981

by Roger C. Garrett

A Concept for the Mobility Impaired

I recently was having lunch at a restaurant when a woman
entered in a wheelchair. It occured to me that many people
without the use of their legs substitute the strength and
dexterity of their arms and hands, along with a wheeled chair,
to maintain some level of mobility. That, on the surface, may
not seem to be a very significant observation.

But, then I began to think about the various forms of
research being done to provide more natural mobility to such
individuals, i.e. the ability to walk. There are two basic
approaches. One is concerned with utilizing artificial legs or
external strap-on leg supports and either myoelectric
(muscular) or neural signals from the natural leg or stump to
control the artificial leg. The other approach deals with
developing “intelligent” knees, in the case of those with only
one incapacitated leg, to provide proper positioning of the leg
as it “swings”, moved by hip motion.

The significance of my observation then struck me. When
this woman in her wheelchair was moving around, she used
her hands and arms effectively in place of her legs. When she
stopped at the table to have lunch or at the counter to pay her
check, her hands resumed their normal function and the
wheelchair became merely a chair. It occurred to me that it
might be possible to use the hands as a controlling device for
artificial legs since, when the person is moving around, the
hands are already dedicated to the mobility function.

I envision a mechanical powered attachment to the existing
biological legs, or artificial legs for amputees, which would
provide the “strength” to move the legs. This would be

I envision a mechanical
powered attachment
to the existing
biological legs...

attached, via a microprocessor, to a hand-held control/feed-
back unit attached to a belt around the waist. When the person
wanted to walk, she would place her hand (perhaps both
hands) into the control unit. The motion of her hand, the
wiggling of her fingers, the pressing of buttons, the flexing of
her wrist, would be “translated” into the motion of the
various joints of the artificial leg. Likewise, the positions and
forces exerted on the legs would be fed back to the hand unit
so that the user can “feel” the motion of the legs.

While the concept is simple, there are many technological
problems to overcome. Oddly enough, the problems are
mostly concerned with the powering of the artificial legs, the

JULY 1981

batteries and motors. The control and feedback techniques
should be relatively straightforward. What I find surprising is
that, to the best of my knowledge, there is no ongoing
research in this direction. I will continue to look into this con-
cept. If anyone can offer any advice or guidelines, please
drop me a note care of IA.

Over the years, I have introduced many concepts and ideas
to aid the handicapped. Now it is your turn. Johns Hopkins
University, in conjunction with The National Science Founda-
tion and Radio Shack, is sponsoring a contest for personal
computing to aid the handicapped. They are seeking out
people involved in personal computing to discover new ideas,
concepts, and applications of personal computing to aid the
handicapped. There are three categories:

• Computer based devices

Hardware invented or modified for the purpose, or
working hardware and software that can demonstrate a
new application.

• Computer programs

Specialized software programs for standard computers.

• System concept/design

Written descriptions of ideas not yet implemented.

The generally considered handicaps are those related to
vision, hearing and language, mental retardation, learning
disabilities, neuromuscular or neurological disorders and
limitations of movement. However, a handicap can be any
limitation of functional capabilities including mobility, com-
munication, self-care, and self-direction.

Three classes of entrant are allowed: computer professional,
amateur, and full-time student. Prizes, including a top prize of
$10,000 and lesser prizes of computer systems, will be
awarded. For an entry blank and further information, write to:
Johns Hopkins U., Personal Computing to Aid the Handi-
capped, P.O. Box 670, Laurel, MD 2081 0.D

OVER 8 MBytes
OF SOFTWARE

AT $8 PER

DISKETTE FULL

The exchange library of The CP/M®

Users Group has nearly 50 volumes of
software available. Everything from
editors, assemblers, languages, games,
tools and more-and almost everything
in full source code.

Send $6** for full library catalog.

THE CP/M

USERS GROUP

1651 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10028.

"Domestic price. Inquire for overseas price.

""The complete catalog of CPMUG is available for $6
prepaid to the U.S., Canada and Mexico. $11 prepaid
to all other countries.

® CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research. The CP/M
Users Group is not affiliated with Digital Research.

INTERFACE AGE 27

THE
MICRO-
MATHEMATICIAN

by Dr. John C. Nash

Quadratic Equations: Computers fail high school maths

High school algebra textbooks seem very fond of quadratic
equations. This may be because the authors enjoy subjecting
a sizable proportion of the world’s teenage population to a
particular form of mental torture. But, it is more plausible that
they recognize that quadratic equations and functions are
ubiquitous elements of mathematics and its applications.

To set things in perspective, we begin with a review of the
basic and not so basic formulas. A quadratic function of x
is written:

f(x) = A x 2 + B x + C (1)

where A, B, and C are the coefficients of the power of x in
the function, which is a second degree polynomial in x. The
quadratic is a very special member of the general class of
functions called polynomials; the general degree n polynomial
in x has the form

p(x) = C„X" + c n _ 1 X "- 1 + ... + c 2 x 2 + c, x + c 0 (2)

where the c 0 , c 1t c 2 , ...» c„ are the coefficients.

A quadratic equation arises when we set the quadratic
function to zero.

f(x) = 0 = Ax 2 + Bx+C (3)

In this case, we see that if A $ 0, the quadratic equation can
be rewritten.

x 2 + (B/A) x + (C/A) = 0 (4)

Equations (3) and (4) have solutions or roots at values of x
where the equations are satisfied. In fact, we can generate
the quadratic function as a product of two linear (degree 1
polynomial) factors involving the two roots, which we shall
label r 1 and r 2 . That is, we can work back from the roots to the
function, which is given as follows.

f(x) = A(x - r t ) (x - r 2 ) (5)

In the case of the general polynomial, we will have c n times
the product of factors involving all of the roots. However,
finding the roots of polynomials is not easy except for degree 1
and degree 2, that is, linear and quadratic forms.

In the linear case, where (changing to g(x) because we
change function)

g(x) = B x + C = 0 (6)

we see immediately that the solution or root is simply at

x = - C/B (7)

In the case of the quadratic equation (3) or (4), we turn to the
time honored formula for r, and r 2 , which gives

r, = (-B + d)/(2 A) , r 2 = (-B - d)(2 A) (8)

where d is the positive square root of

D = B 2 - 4 A C = d 2 (9)

Of course, D may not be positive, which leads to a dead end
in all the work so far unless we resort to imaginary numbers
that are founded on the concept of the square root of - 1 . This
is a defined quantity which allows a whole new mathematical
dimension of complex arithmetic — that is, arithmetic using
both real and imaginary numbers. In the present case, if D is
negative, we define our unit imaginary number

i = (-1) 1 ' 2 (10)

i.e. the square root of - 1 . Then, if we take d to be the square
root of - D (now positive, so the square root can be taken in real
arithmetic), the complex roots of the quadratic equation are

r, = ( - B + i d)/(2 A) and r 2 = ( - B - i d)/(2 A) (11)

Note that we need special storage areas holding two real
numbers to represent and store each complex number. Some
programming languages, such as Fortran, allow complex data
and arithmetic, though the compiler writers in some cases
have not done their job very well and bugs have been reported
in some of the functions and arithmetic operations. I prefer to
code my own complex arithmetic whwere it is needed, since
such numbers are often used more to keep the formulas
general than to genuinely do something that cannot be done
in the real domain.

Figure 1. The quadratic function y = x 2 - x + 2.

Linear functions (degree 1 polynomials) can be graphed as
straight lines. Quadratic functions are parabolas. Figure 1
shows the function

f(x) = y = x 2 - x + 2 (12)

which has roots at - 1 and 2. We need not say which is r, and
which is r 2 , since the order is immaterial. The roots turn out to
be where the function crosses the x axis. Other possibilities
exist: the graph of the function just touches (“kisses”) the
axis, eg.

f(x) = y = -0.5x 2

(shown in figure 2), or the graph never touches the axis at all, eg.

JULY 1981

28 INTERFACE AGE

f(x) = y = 2 x 2 + 2
as shown in figure 3.

These cases correspond to the quadratic having two equal
roots and complex roots respectively. Thus, the roots tell us
something about the shape of the function and vice-versa.

4--

3 -
2 -
1 --

Figure 2. The quadratic function y = -0.5 x 2 .

We can also note a few other properties of the quadratic by
actually multiplying out equation (5) to give

f(x) = Ax 2 - A(^ + r 2 ) x + A^ r 2 (13)

Comparing the like powers of x, we have

r, + r 2 = (- B/A) (14)

and

r, r 2 = (C/A) (15)

All of the above is a pleasant or unpleasant piece of
algebraic manipulation, depending on your taste, and the
formula (8) may seem an obvious solution to any quadratic
equation problem that may arise. Indeed, they arise frequently,
since quadratic functions— parabolas— are used to approx-
imate many other functions that do not have such “nice”
properties or whose properties we are not interested in.
However, a straightforward implementation of the formula on
a computer will lead to a very unsatisfactory program. In part,
this is because not every set of three numbers A, B, C
permits solutions to be computed; in part, we must watch out
for rounding-errors that our calculation method induces and
are unnecessary.

To write a satisfactory program, let’s first state clearly
what our objective is. Given any three real numbers A, B, C,
correctly and accurately compute the one or two real roots of
the function

A x 2 + B x + C

compute its two complex roots; or report on the impossibility
of the calculation. An additional specification should be to
verify the result by computing the quadratic function for the
solution (s), if obtained.

Writing a program to carry out this objective involves the
dual task of recognizing which case is presented and carefully
calculating the desired answers. It is this double problem that
causes most programs written to solve quadratic equations to
fail what is really a fairly common high school mathematics
problem. We can consider the following examples.

A = 0, B = 1 , C = 1 : This is not a quadratic at all, but a linear
function with the root at - 1 .

A = - 1 , B = 0, C = - 1 : This reduces to x 2 = - 1 , so we
have two roots, one at i, one at -i, where i is the square
root of - 1 .

A = 1 , B = -2, C = 1 : The formula gives two roots at + 1 .

A = 1 , B = 0, C = -1: Two roots at + 1 and - 1 .

A = 1, B = -1000001, C = 1000000: The formula gives
two roots at 1 000000 and 1 .

A = 0, B = 0, C = 1: Since 1 is not equal to 0, this
is impossible!

A = 1 , B = 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 , C = 1111110: This has two roots at
- 1 and - 1 1 1 1 1 1 0. However, it is almost at linear equation,
since it can “almost” be written 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 * (x + 1 ) = 0.

A = 1 E - 3, B = 1 E5, C = 1 E4: This has two roots near
1 E + 8 and 0. The wide difference in range is a difficulty
when calculations are performed in finite length arithmetic.

One of the main troubles that arises with the formula (8) is
well demonstrated by the last two examples. Blindly applying
the formula to A = 1, B = 1111111,0 = 1111110 on a
North Star Horizon (8 digit Basic) gives two roots, r, =
- 0.95, r 2 = -1111110.1. When these are substituted into
the quadratic function (1), we calculate (via (A*x + B)*x + C
—Horner’s Scheme for evaluating a polynomial) values
f( -0.95) = 55555.4 and f( - 11 1 1110.1) = 111110.91.

• API 01 Apple II with Single Disk Drive $109

• API 02 Apple II with Double Disk Drives 119

• API 03 Apple II, 9 inch Monitor & Double Drives ... 129

• API 04 Apple ///, two additional Drives & Silentype 139

• API 05 12 inch monitor plus accessories 99

• RS201 TRS-80 Model I, Expansion Unit & Drives 109

• RS202 TRS-80 Monitor or TV set 84

• RS204 TRS-80 Model III 129

• RS205 Radio Shack Color Computer 89

• P401 Paper Tiger 440/445/460 99

• P402 Centronics 730/737 - Line Printer ll/IV 89

• P403 Epson MX70 or MX80 89

• CC90 Matching Attach^ Case 75

compiler case company

5650 INDIAN MOUND CT. COLUMBUS. OHIO 43213 (614) 868-9464 L ' M

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 13

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 29

MICROSTAT

NOW AVAILABLE FOR CBASIC2*

MICROSTAT is the statistics package for microcomputers, and is
proving itself to users around the world, including:

Stanford, Harvard, Johnson & Johnson, Duke, University of Wash-
ington, UCLA, Lockheed, University of Pennsylvania, Oklahoma
State, U.S. Geological Survey, Monsanto, University of Toronto,
Sweden's National Central Bureau of Statistics, Utah State, Butler
University, SUNY, Van Camps, Texas A&M, University of Wisconsin

and a growing list of other organizations. MICROSTAT's Data Man-
agement Subsystem (DMS) makes creating your own data files easy
and includes numerous editing and transformation capabilities. Files
produced by DMS can then be used to generate statistics in all com-
mon statistical areas (e.g., descriptive statistics, ANOVA, correlation,
multiple regression, probability and hypothesis tests, nonparametrics
and others) plus some not so common ones. Whether pure reserch or
industrial quality control, MICROSTAT is the statistics package for you.

MICROSTAT sells for $250.00 and is supplied on 8" SD or 5V'
(North Star) disks. The user's manual sells for $18.00 and includes
sample data and printouts. Please specify version when ordering.
Foreign inquiries, please write directly to us.

ECOSOFT

P.O. Box 68602
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 283-8883

* CBASIC2 is a registered trade mark of Software Systems.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 30

[master charge

HRBANK CARO ^

240x256 Digitzed image. 16 levels • Variety of synchronization choices

• 2 selectable video A/D conversion circuits

• Choice of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 bits per pixel

• 32K-byte image memory on the basic system

• 32, 64, 128 & 256K byte system capacity

• Ughtpen input

• Photographic trigger control input

• Software selectable system parameters

• Interfaces for TRS-80 and other processors

• Comprehensive line of accessories, monitors and
support software

400x312 Computer-generated

= SEND FOR FREE CATALOG

|B DIGITAL GRAPHIC SYSTEMS
.s=i 441 California Ave.,Palo Alto, CA 94306 415/494-6088

The culprit, in the case of the smaller root at least, is digit
cancellation arising from the sum/difference in the formula.
There is not a great deal we can do about the accuracy of the
big root, which comes about as the sum of two large
numbers. But we can examine the calculation to improve the
small root.

We note that in exact arithmetic

D = B*B - 4*A*C = 1234667654321 - 4444440
= 1234561209881

so six of the eight figures of B 2 and D are the same in the
arithmetic of the North Star. Consequently, the small root
arises from almost complete digit cancellation in the numerator
of the formula (8). However, we can calculate the big root,
which arises as the sum of the two large numbers, reasonably
accurately as r 2 = -1111110.1, then apply relationship
(15) to find the smaller root by division. Now we arrive at
the approximation r, = -0.99999991, at which the

quadratic function has the value ffrj = 0.1 as computed by
the North Star.

This strategy of finding the big root first and calculating the
small one by division using equation (15) is a reasonable and
reliable approach to the solution of quadratic equations. We
still need to watch out for complex roots, and here there is little
we can do to avoid the formula and its difficulties, such as
digit cancellation when B 2 and 4 A C are nearly equal in value.

One further step that can be taken, nevertheless, is a
verification of the roots by substitution into the quadratic
function. We have already seen how large roots may give a
value for the quadratic function at a supposed root which is
very different from zero. The program presented in listing 1
takes advantage of this deviation in the real root case to try to
improve the approximation to the root by application of
Newton’s iteration. This could also be applied in the complex
case. Listing 2 gives the results of applying the program to
the examples already presented. Note that this program is
designed to demonstrate the ideas in the column, so it
contains a lot of extra code to calculate various information
that would be left out of a production subroutine to solve
quadratic equations. □

30 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 27

JULY 1981

ANYTHING LESS IS CHEATING

Penny wise and software foolish. One of the
best ways to cheat your business is to waste a whole
lot of time on solutions that don’t work, or that can’t
grow with your business. And frankly, we get phone
calls every day from computer users who’ve tried to
get by on “bargain” software, and found that “bar-
gain” software is the most expensive kind a business
can own.

Here’s a fact: if you have a real need for a
computer in any of these areas:

General Ledger
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Payable
Order Entry
Inventory Control
Payroll,

any business software less than Structured Systems
Financial Software is cheating your business. You’ll
cheat yourself out of lots of time. Time spent with

systems which aren’t designed for high volume use.
You’ll cheat yourself out of reliable audit controls
and reliable error prevention features. Out of the
training you invest in a system you outgrow when
you need to add more disk storage, more customers,
more data. You’ll be cheating yourself out of a soft-
ware bargain in the truest sense of the word — the
greatest value for your dollar.

CP/M® microcomputer systems can do the
job of minicomputers. Structured
Systems software makes that po-
tential a reality. Right now,
hundreds of businesses
are profiting from the
financial controls and
operating efficiency of
SSG financial software.

So can yours.

Take it easy on yourself.

I But sentence your computer
I to hard labor.

I Please send more
information on your

I □ General Ledger □ Accounts Receivable □ Order Entry

I □ Accounts Payable □ Payroll □ Inventory Control

I Name

Company
Address _

City State Zip

Telephone ( )

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research.

Structured Systems Group

5204 Claremont, Oakland, / California 94116 (415) 547 1567 incorporated!

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 75

INTERFACE AGE 31

Eight Inch Floppy Disk Drive Subsystem Model V1000

The V1000, Vista’s sophisticated new disk drive subsystem, sets
new standards for ease of access and use. Its innovative design
permits disk drives to be mounted or removed quickly and easily for
system reconfiguration or servicing.

Features:

• Deluxe chassis with internal slide allows easy access.

• Storage capacity from 250 kilobytes to 2.5 megabytes.

• Desk or rack mountable.

• Accomodates both single-sided and double-sided drives.

• Industrial quality cabinet with die cast front bezel.

• Drives pull out for easy service and maintenance.

Prices:

Cabinet with (2) single sided drives w/power supply . . $1595.0C
Cabinet with (2) double sided drives w/power supply . $2295. 0C

Cabinet (only) $ 395. 0C

Vista’s Line of High Performance, High Reliability
Products also Includes these Advanced Components

Daisy Wheel Printer Model V300

Features: circle inquiry no. 86

• 96-character proportional, bi-directional printing

• Interface - Parallel or RS232-C option

Prices:

V300-25cps $1895.00

V300-45cps $2195.00

Minifloppy Disk System, Model V200
Features:

• Storage capacity from 200K bytes to 1.2 megabytes

• Compatible with industry standard Si 00 main-
frames.

• System software - Vista CP/M™ VOS Disk
Operating System and Basic - E compiler.

Prices:

Starting as low as $695.00
V200-Exidy version $1199.00

Vista Computer Company 1317 E. Edinger Avenue • Santa Ana. CA. 92705 • (714) 953-0523
•• is a registered trademark of Digital Research Dealer Inquiries Call Toll Free (800) 854-8017

Listing 1

PRINT “QUAD FEB

PRINT * author:

PRINT "PROGRAM F

PRINT * F

PRINT “ENTER Arl

INPUT! "A 3 " r A \
INPUT1 * B=*rB

INPUT * C=“rC

LET I9=-l \

81"

C NASH "

nS ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION*
* A*X*X + B*X + C 3 0"

BrC -- ALL ZERO STOPS PROGRAM*

REM NEWTON ITERATION

IF AOO THEN 230

REM A=0 MEANS AT MOST 1 ROOT

IF BO'O THEN 170

REM EITHER PROBLEM IS IMPOSSIBLE OR WE MUST STOP
IF C=0 THEN STOP

PRINT * IMPOSSIBLE PROBLEM *>Cr* <> 0*

GOTO 30
REM 1 ROOT
LET Rl=-C/B

PRINT * ONE ROOT ONLY AT X=*rRl
LET X=R1

GOSUB 690 \ REM VERIFY RESULT

GOTO 30

LET D2=B*B-4*A*C
PRINT “DICRIMINANT*' rD2
REM CHECK FOR COMPLEX ROOT
IF D2<0 THEN 500
LET D=SQRT<D2>

PRINT " SORT ( DISCRIMINANT )= “ r D

GOSUB 850 \ REM LOOK AT FORMULA

COUNTER
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
270
280
290
RESULTS

300 IF B>=0 THEN 340

REM B NEGATIVE r SO TAKE POSITIVE SUM
LET Rl=0.5#(-B+D)/A
GOTO 360

LET Rl 3 0.5*(-B-D)/A

REM B POSITIVE SO NEGATIVE SUM IS BIGGER
REM GET SMALLER ROOT BY SOLVING R1*R2=C/A
LET R2=C/<R1*A>

PRINT * ' BIG ' ROOT AT X=“rRlr“ 'SMALL' ROOT AT X=*
LET X=R1
LET 19=0

PRINT * VERIFICATION "r
GOSUB 690

IF I9>0 THEN PRINT 'NOTE NEW ROOT APPROXIMATION*
LET X=R2
LET 19=0

PRINT * VERIFICATION *

GOSUB 690

IF I9>0 THEN PRINT * NOTE NEW ROOT APPROXIMATION*
GOTO 30

REM COMPLEX ROOT
LET D=SQRT ( -D2 >

PRINT *SQRT (-DISCRIMINANT) 3 * rD
LET R1=-0.5*B/A
LET R2=0 ♦ 5*D/A
PRINT * COMPLEX ROOTS AT*

310

320

330

340

350

360

370

380

390

400

410

420

430

440

450

460

470

480

490

500

510

520

530

540

550

560

570

580

590

600

610

620

630

640

650

660

670

680

690

700

710

720

730

740

750

760

770

780

790

800

810

820

830

840

850

860

870

880

890

900

910

920

r R2 r * >*SQRT(-1) *
r -R2 r “ )*SQRT<~1 > *

PRINT * X= * r R1 r * + <

PRINT * X= “ r R1 r * + C

REM VERIFY RESULTS
GOSUB 630
LET R2=-R2
GOSUB 630
GOTO 30

REM COMPLEX VERIFICATION
D=A*(R1*R1-R2*R2)+B*R1+C
D2=2*A*R1*R2+B#R2

PRINT 'VERIFICATION AT X= * r R1 r * +SQRT < -1 ) * ( * r R2 r * ) *
PRINT * F<X)=“rDr* +SQRT <-l)*(*rD2r*>*

RETURN

REM VERIFICATION

LET D1=1E35 \ REM LAST DEVIATION

D2=<A*X+B)*X+C

PRINT * AT X=*rXr* F(X) = * rD2

IF I9<0 THEN RETURN

IF D2=0 THEN RETURN

IF ABS ( D2 ) >=ABS < D1 ) THEN 820

LET 19=19+1

LET D1=D2

PRINT “ TRY "r

REM UPDATE USING NEWTON FORMULA

LET X=X-D2/(2*A*X+B)

GOTO 710

PRINT * ITERATION DIVERGING*

LET 19=0
RETURN

PRINT *2 ROOTS BY FORMULA*

LET X=0.5*(-B+D>/A
GOSUB 710

LET X=O.S*<-B-D)/A
GOSUB 710

PRINT * ***********

RETURN

END

Listing 2

LOAD QUAD

READY

RUN

QUAD FEB 14 81
AUTHOR! J C NASH

PROGRAM FINDS ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION
F < X ) = A*X*X + B*X + C = 0

ENTER A, BrC — ALL ZERO STOPS PROGRAM
A=0 B=1 C=1

ONE ROOT ONLY AT X= -1
AT X= -1 F(X)= 0

PROGRAM FINDS ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION
F ( X ) = A*X*X + B*X + C = 0
ENTER A, BrC — ALL ZERO STOPS PROGRAM
A=-l B=0 C=-l
DICRIMINANT= -4
SORT (-DISCRIMINANT) 3 2
COMPLEX ROOTS AT

X= 0 + < -1>*SQRT(-1>

X= 0 + < 1>*SQRT<-1>

VERIFICATION AT X= 0+SQRT<-l>*< -1)

F( X ) = O+SQRT ( -1 ) # ( 0)

VERIFICATION AT X= 0+SQRT(-l>#< 1)

F(X)= O+SQRT ( -1 ) # < 0)

PROGRAM FINDS ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION
F<X) - A*X*X + B*X + C = 0
ENTER ArBrC — ALL ZERO STOPS PROGRAM
A=1 B=-2 C=1

DICRIMINANT 3 0
SORT (DISCRIMINANT > = 0
2 ROOTS BY FORMULA
AT X= 1 F ( X > = 0
AT X= 1 F ( X ) = 0
**********

'BIG'ROOT AT X= 1 'SMALL' ROOT AT X= 1
VERIFICATION AT X= 1 F(X)= 0

VERIFICATION AT X= 1 F(X)= 0

PROGRAM FINDS ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION
F < X ) = A*X*X + B*X + C = 0
ENTER ArBrC — ALL ZERO STOPS PROGRAM
A=1 B=0 C=~l

DICRIMINANT 3 4
SORT ( DISCRIMINANT ) = 2
2 ROOTS BY FORMULA
AT X= 1 F ( X > = 0
AT X= -I F ( X ) = 0
**********

'BIG'ROOT AT X= -1 'SMALL' ROOT AT X= 1
VERIFICATION AT X= -1 F(X)= 0

VERIFICATION AT X= 1 F(X)= 0

PROGRAM FINDS ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION
F ( X ) = A*X*X + B*X + C = 0
ENTER ArBrC — ALL ZERO STOPS PROGRAM
A=1 B=-1000001 C=1000000

DICRIMINANT 3 9.99998E+11
SQRT < DISCRIMINANT >= 999999
2 ROOTS BY FORMULA
AT X= 1000000 F(X)= 0

AT X= 1 F ( X ) = 0

'BIG'ROOT AT X= 1000000 'SMALL' ROOT AT X= 1
VERIFICATION AT X= 1000000 F(X)= 0

VERIFICATION AT X= 1 F(X)= 0

PROGRAM FINDS ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION
F ( X ) = A*X*X + B*X + C 3 0
ENTER ArBrC -- ALL ZERO STOPS PROGRAM
A=0 B=0 C=1

IMPOSSIBLE PROBLEM 1 <> 0

PROGRAM FINDS ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION
F ( X) = A*X*X + B*X + C = 0
ENTER ArBrC — ALL ZERO STOPS PROGRAM
A=1 B= 1111111 C=1111110

DICRIMINANT 3 1 . 2345633E+12
SQRT (DISCRIMINANT) 3 1111109.1
2 ROOTS BY FORMULA
AT X= -.95 F< X ) 3 55555.4
AT X= -1111110.1 F ( X ) = 111110.91
**********

'BIG'ROOT AT X= -1111110.1 'SMALL' ROOT AT X 3 -.99999991
VERIFICATION AT X= -1111110.1 F(X)= 111110.91

TRY AT X= -1111110 F < X ) = 0
NOTE NEW ROOT APPROXIMATION
VERIFICATION AT X 3 -.99999991 F(X)= .1

TRY AT X= -1 F ( X ) 3 0
NOTE NEW ROOT APPROXIMATION

PROGRAM FINDS ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION
F ( X ) = A*X*X + B*X + C 3 0
ENTER ArBrC — ALL ZERO STOPS PROGRAM
A=lE-3 B=1E5 C=1E4

DICRIMINANT 3 1E+10
SQRT (DISCRIMINANT) 3 100000
2 ROOTS BY FORMULA
AT X 3 0 F< X ) = 10000
AT X= -1E+08 F ( X ) 3 10000
**********

'BIG'ROOT AT X= -1E+08 'SMALL' ROOT AT X= -.1
VERIFICATION AT X 3 -1E+08 F(X>= 10000

TRY AT X= -1E+08 F(X)= 10000

ITERATION DIVERGING
VERIFICATION AT X= -.1 F(X)= 0

PROGRAM FINDS ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION
F < X ) 3 A*X*X + B*X + C = 0
ENTER ArBrC -- ALL ZERO STOPS PROGRAM
A=0 B=0 C=0

STOP IN LINE 150
READY

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 33

Learning
with Micros

by Louis E. Frenzel

Educational Computing Publications

computer hardware and software, speech synthesis and
recognition, A/V equipment and video.

Educational Technology

140 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

This publication has been around for many years. It covers
the broad field of educational technology including AA/, video,
programmed instruction (PI), self-paced learning, competency-
based education and the like. Computer coverage has
increased signficantly over the years.

Electronic Learning

Scholastic Inc.

50 W. 44th St.

New York, NY 10036

This publication will debut this fall (Sept./Oct.). To be
published bimonthly, it is aimed at elementary and secondary
school educators. The magazine will cover microcomputer
hardware and software, video tape and disk and other elec-
tronic teaching equipment, as well as related topics such as
funding, purchasing and applications.

When I started writing this column last year, there was very
little editorial coverage of computers in education. Aside from
an occasional article in popular micro magazines, there were
few places to go for information on the emerging computer/
education movement.

This need is now being met by many publications. A number
of established educational publications have increased their
coverage of microcomputers. And several new magazines
have been established. Some are dedicated to the computer/
education field, while others cover the broader field of
educational technology. Following is a run-down of some
noteworthy publications addressing this field.

Computer Classroom News
P.O. Box 266
Cambridge, MA 02138

This bimonthly newsprint tabloid covers all aspects of
microcomputing in schools. The first issue was dated
Sept./Oct., 1980.

Computer Time

Robert Stuart Junior High School
Caswell Ave. W.

Twin Falls, ID 83301

This is a newsletter that covers the subject of computer
programming in the schools. It publishes six issues per year.

Computing Teacher
Computing Center
Eastern Oregon State College
La Grande, OR 97860

This periodical is a professional journal for educators
interested in the instructional uses of computers (and
calculators). The emphasis is pre-college.

Courseware Magazine
4919 N. Millbrook #222
Fresno, CA 93726

This is not a magazine as we ordinarily think of one, with
articles, ads, editorials and the like. Instead, it is a periodic
source of educational programs for home, elementary and
secondary school use. The '‘magazine" consists of a CIO
cassette containing the programs and the supporting docu-
mentation, which includes a teacher’s guide, student work-
sheets, objectives, suggestions for use, an abstract and a
complete listing. Versions of the magazine are available for
Apple II, Pet and TRS-80. It is published five times per year.

Educational Electronics
One Lincoln Plaza
New York, NY 10023

This monthly newsletter deals with the application of elec-
tronics technology to instruction. It covers topics such as

Instructional Innovator
1126 Sixteenth St., N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20036

This is the main publication of the Association for Educa-
tional Communications and Technology. It is published monthly
nine times a year. A subscription comes with membership.
AECT also publishes two quarterlies, the Journal of Instruc-
tional Development and the Educational Communications and
Technology Journal , both available through membership. AECT
is an organization of professionals in schools and industry
concerned with the improvement of instruction through the
effective use of media and technology. Computers are
regularly covered.

Performance & Instruction

1126 Sixteenth St., N.W., Suite 315

Washington, D.C. 20036

This is the official membership publication of the National
Society for Performance and Instruction. NSPI is an organiza-
tion of academic and industry educators who study and use
advanced educational techniques. Subjects like PI and CAI
have been the central focus of the organization.

Perspectives in Computing
International Business Machines Corp.

Old Orchard Rd.

Armonk, NY 10504

This IBM quarterly examines the application of computers
to academic disciplines. A complementary subscription is
available to university personnel.

T.H.E. Journal
P.O. Box 992
Acton, MA 01720

This is one of the oldest magazines covering computers in
education. It has been published since the mid-’70s and takes
a broad look at the field of educational technology. T.H.E.
stands for Technical Horizons in Education. In addition to fairly
regular computer coverage, it also covers advances in audio/
visual (A/V) equipment and techniques, learning by video tape
and disk, and other technological developments affecting
education. The magazine is published six times per year.

It is encouraging to see this growing awareness of the
need for reading sources on this vital topic. It is our hope that
the trend continues to flourish. □

This publication is available in microform.

University Microfilms 300 North Zeeb Road 30-32 Mortimer Street
, . Dept. PR. Dept. PR.

International Ann Arbor. Mi. 48106 London WIN 7RA

U.SA. England

34 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

If you can’t find the right program
in our new catalog,
it probably hasn’t been written.

As the worlds largest publisher of
professional software for micro-
computers, Lifeboat Associates offers
the largest selection of state-of-the-art
programs. And our new catalog has
more to offer than ever. We also add the
crucial dimension of after-sales service
and full support to everything we sell.
Order your free catalog today.

For a free catalog, mail coupon to Lifeboat Associates,
1651 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10028.

Or call (212) 8600300. Telex 640693 (LBSOFT NYK)

Name_

_Title_

Company.
Street

City State Zip

Our catalog contains full descriptions and specifications of the following:

DISK OPERATING SYSTEMS

CP/M CONFIGURED FOR:
APPLE II

OATAPOINT 1550/2150
ICOM MICRO DISK
ICOM 3712
ICOM 3812

ICOM 4511/PERTEC D3000
INTEL MDS

MICR0P0LIS FLOPPY DISK
MITS/ALTAIR
M0STEK MDX
NORTH STAR

0SI C3C Prime
TRS-80 MODEL II
MP/M FOR INTEL MDS

HARD DISK INTEGRATION MODULES

CORVUS WITH APPLE II S0FTCARD
CORVUS WITH S100 AND TRS-80
MODEL II

ICOM 4511/PERTEC D3000
K0NAN PLUS CDC PHOENIX
XC0MP SM/S PLUS CDC PHOENIX
XC0MP DFC10 FOR PERTEC D3000

SYSTEMS TOOLS

BUG AND uBUG

DESP00L

DISIL0G

DISTEL

EDIT

EDIT-80

FILETRAN

IBM/CPM

MAC

MACRO-80

PASM

PUNK

PMATE

RAID

RECLAIM

SID

TRS-80 MODEL II
CP/M

CUSTOMIZATION

UNLOCK

WORD-MASTER

XASM-18

XASM-48

XASM-65

XASM-68

XMACRO-86

ZDT

Z80 DEVELOPMENT
PACKAGE
ZSID

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

BSTAM

BSTMS

LANGUAGES

ALGOL-80

muSIMP

APL/V80

NEVADA COBOL

BASIC-80

PASCAL/M

(COMPILER)

PASCAL/MT

BASIC-80

PASCAL/MT+

(INTERPRETER)

PASCAL/Z

BDSC COMPILER

PL/I -80

CBASIC-2

S-BASIC

CIS COBOL

TINY C

COBOL-80

TINY-C TWO

FORTRAN-80

W'SMITHS C

JRT PASCAL

COMPILER

muLISP

XYBASIC

LANGUAGE AND APPLICATIONS TOOLS

BASIC UTILITY

MDBS.DRS

DISK

MDBS.RTL

DATASTAR

M/SORT FOR

FABS

COBOL-80

FORMS 1 FOR CIS

PEARL

COBOL

PSORT

FORMS 2 FOR CIS

QSORT

COBOL

STRING BIT

MAGSAM III

STRING /80

MAGSAM IV

SUPER-SORT

ULTRASORT II

'WORD PROCESSING SYSTEMS AND AIDS

MAGIC WAND

TEX

LETTERIGHT

TEXTWRITER III

MICROSPELL

WORDSTAR

SPELLGUARD

WORDINDEX

DATA MANAGEMENT PACKAGES

CONDOR

MDBS

HDBS

MDBS QRS

GENERAL PURPOSE APPLICATIONS

CBS

SELECTOR IV

SELECTOR III-C2

MAIL LIST APPLICATIONS

MAILING ADDRESS (PTREE)
MAILMERGE FOR WORDSTAR
NAD

POSTMASTER

BUSINESS APPLICATIONS

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE (PTREE)
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE (SSG)
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (PTREE)
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (SSG)
GENERAL LEDGER II (CPAIDS)
GENERAL LEDGER (PTREE)
GENERAL LEDGER (SSG)
GLECTOR FOR SELECTOR III-C2
INVENTORY (PTREE)

INVENTORY (SSG)

PAYROLL (PTREE)

PAYROLL (SSG)

NUMERICAL PROBLEM SOLVING TOOLS

ANALYST STATPAK

FPL T/MAKER

muMATH

OTHER SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS

DATEBOOK

ESQ-1

PAS-3 DENTAL
PAS-3 MEDICAL

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (PTREE)

BOOKS AND PERIODICALS

APL-AN INTERACTIVE APPROACH
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE & ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE-CBASIC
8080/Z80 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE
THE CP/M HANDBOOK
THE C PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
CRASH COURSE IN MICROCOMPUTERS
FIFTY BASIC EXERCISES
GENERAL LEDGER-CBASIC
INTRODUCTION TO PASCAL
LIFELINES

ORDERING INFORMATION. COMPUTERS
SUPPORTED INCLUDE:

ADDS Multivision
AVL Eagle
Altair 8800
Altos

Apple CP/M 13 Sector
Apple CP/M 16 Sector
BASF System 7100
Blackhawk Micropolis Mod II
CDS Versatile 3B
CDS Versatile 4
Columbia Data Products
C0MPAL-80
CSSN Backup
Cromenco System 3
Cromenco System 2 SDSS
Cromenco System 2 DDSS
Cromenco System 2 DDDS
Datapoint 1550/2150 Single Sided
Oatapoint 1550/2150 Double Sided
Delta Systems
Digi-Log Microterm II
Digital Microsystems
Durango F-85
Dynabyte DB8/2
Dynabyte DB8/4

Exidy Sorcerer + Lifeboat CP/M

Micromation

Exidy Sorcerer + Exidy CP/M

Micropolis Mod 1

Heath H8 + H17/H27 disk

Micropolis Mod II

Heath H89 + Lifeboat CP/M

Morrow Discus

Heath H89 + Magnolia CP/M

Mostek

Heath H89 + Heath CP/M

NEC PC-8001

Helios II

North Star Single Density

ICOM 2411 Micro Floppy

North Star Double Density

ICOM 3712

North Star Quad Density

ICOM 3812

Nylac Micropolis Mod II

ICOM 4511 5440 Cartridge CP/M 1.4

Ohio Scientific C3

ICOM 4511 5440 Cartridge CP/M 2 2

OKI IF- 800

IMS 5000

Onyx C8001

tMS 8000

Pertec PCC 2000

IMSAI VDP-40

Processor Technology Helios II

IMSAI VDP-42

Quay 500

IMSAI VDP-44

Quay 520

IMSAI VDP-80

RAIR Single Density

ISC Intecolor 8063/8360/8963

RAIR Double Density

Intertec Superbrain DOS 0.1

Research Machines 5.25 in.

Intertec Superbrain DOS 0.5

Research Machines 8 in.

Intertec Superbrain DOS 3 x

SD Systems 5 25 in.

Intertec Superbrain QD

SD Systems 8 in.

Kontron PSI-80

Sanco 7000 5.25 in.

MITS 3200-3202

Spacebyte

MSD 5.25 in

TEI 5.25 in.

Meca Delta-1 5.25 in.

TEI 8 in

THE PASCAL HANDBOOK
PASCAL USER MANUAL AND REPORT
PAYROLL WITH COST ACCOUNTING-
CBASIC

STRUCTURED MICROPROCESSOR
PROGRAMMING

USING CP/M-A SELF-TEACHING GUIDE

ACCESSORIES

DC 300 DATA CARTRIDGE
HEAD CLEANING DISKETTE
FLIPPY DISK KIT
FLOPPY SAVER

Program names and computer names are
generally trademarks or service marks of
the author or manufacturing company.

All software products have specific
requirements for hardware and additional
associated software (e g. operating system
or language)

All products are subject to terms and
conditions of sale.

Prices and specifications are sublet to
change without notice.

All Lifeboat software requires CP/M unless
otherwise stated

TIP

TRS-80 Model I STANDARD
TRS-80 Model I + FEC Freedom
TRS-80 Model I -»- Micromation
TRS-80 Model I + Omikron 5.25 in.
TRS-80 Model I + Omikron 8 in.
TRS-80 Model I + Shuffleboard 8 in
TRS-80 Model II
TRS-80 Model III
Vector MZ
Vector System 2800
Vector System B
Vector VIP

Vista V-80 5.25 in. Single Density
Vista V200 5.25 in Double Density
Zenith Z89 + Zenith CP/M
Zenith Z89 + Lifeboat CP/M
Zenith Z89 + Magnolia CP/M

SS = single sided SD = single density
DD = double sided DD = double density

The list of available formats is subject to
change without notice. In case of
uncertainty, call to confirm the format code
for any particular equipment

LIFEBOAT WORLDWIDE

Lifeboat Inc.

3-23-8 Nishi-shinbashi
Minato-ku. Tokyo. 105 Japan
Tel: 03-437-3901
Telex: 2422723 (ASRTYOJ)

Lifeboat Associates, Ltd.

PO Box 125

London WC2H9LU. England

Tel: 01-836-9028

Telex: 893709 (LBSOFTG)

Lifeboat Associates GmbH
PO Box 168. Aegeristrasse 35
CH 6340 Baar. Switzerland
Tel: 042-31-2931
Telex: 865265 (MICO CH)

Intersoft GmbH
Schlossgartenweg 5
D-8045 Ismaning. W. Germany
Tel: 089-966-444
Telex: 5213643 (ISOFD)

Lifeboat Associates. SARL
10, Grande Rue Charles de Gaulle
92600 Asnieres. France
Tel: 1-733-08-04

Telex: 250303 (PUBLIC X PARIS)

lifeboat Associates

Software wi th full support.

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 35

ARE

REV

By Carl iH&i

Memorite III and Execuplan Packages

Usually this column avoids reviewing software that is
restricted to one manufacturer’s machine. However, a piece
of software is occasionally so outstanding as to merit special
attention. Such is the case with Vector Graphic’s new word
processor Memorite III and its companion business planning
program Execuplan. A microcomputer is only as good as the
applications programs that run on it— in this case, the soft-
ware may serve as reason enough to purchase the computer.

The Memorite package

Nothing can compete with a software program tailored to
one particular machine. All features can be utilized to their
fullest extent and any disadvantages of the machine worked
around. Vector Graphic designed the Memorite system with

OMNI-GRAPHICS Transforms your Tl Model
810 into a high-speed printer/plotter

■H

■ new CRT copier interface TEK terminals

■ raster graphics and all 810 functions

■ 2 plotting modes with 1584 x 792 dots per page

■ programmable expansion in print and plot

■ you may load your own 75 character software
font and recall it for print by standard ASCII

■ all standard ASCII characters 150 characters/ sec

■ bidirectional printing and plotting

■ rates 110 to 9600 baud serial R5232 or parallel
interface

■ no electrical or mechanical mods

■ Tl warranties are preserved

■ standard paper and built-in self test
OMNI-GRAPHICS and the 810 provide
low cost, high speed plotting.

ANALOG TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

15859 E. Edna Place

Irwindale, CA 91706 (213) 960-4004

* ★
★ ★

similarities to the Electric Pencil software, but tailored
especially for its products: the Vector MZ, 2800, 3005, VIP
and other computer systems. All products share the same
Z80 processor and memory mapped terminal configuration,
which allowed the designers to take full advantage of the
machine’s power. The programs are mostly written in assembly
language, although there are extensions of the system that
utilize MBasic. The CP/M operating system is used.

The system is designed for even the most inexperienced
user to get up and running. The only tricky part is knowing
how to Sysgen the disk supplied and make a backup copy of
it. Assuming the user can get dealer help in this, the rest of
the system is so easy to assimilate that a totally inexperienced
person can master it quickly.

The secret to this is the manual. It was written by a non-
computer person with the average office worker in mind. It is
organized with nine sections, a total of 85 short little
“lessens” with two or three commands taught in each one. It
is easy to read, with numbered steps and comments about
what should be happening at each step.

It is organized in three levels— beginning, intermediate and
advanced. Within each level, the operator is given instruction
on the basics of entering, formatting, editing and printing
text, and the latter two sections include details on storing
texts and file handling.

The system includes a number of features that set it apart
from other word processing systems. Included is the ability to
overstrike to create bold print, underlining, programming that
allows the printing in both directions, full support of propor-
tional spacing, vertical spacing that allows standard or non-
standard formats (example: one can double space or one-and-
one-half line space). The printer can even double underline. In
addition, the system can reproduce ascenders or descenders
(such as a 1 to indicate a footnote). Headings and footnotes
can also be included.

Printing columns of numeric data is often a tricky procedure
with a word processing system due to the left-hand nature of
tabs. Memorite includes a system for numeric justification
within columns, thus allowing the operator to enter columns
of numbers, such as in an income statement, and have them
printed correctly.

The ASCII character set include certain characters that
do not appear on the typical terminal keyboard. Occasionally,
a document could benefit by the inclusion of some of these
special characters, such as a vertical bar, a back quote, a back

Nothing can compete
with a software program
tailored to

one particular machine.

slash, or tilde. The system allows a user to access to these
special characters in a simple, direct and workable fashion.

One area that occasionally causes problems, especially
when small margins are used and the text contains large
words, is hyphenation. Most software does not contain any
provision to allow the user to suggest hyphenation spots. The
Memorite system allows the user to include them within the
body of the text. This improves the look of copy if the user
implements it whenever it appears that the text contains a lot
of long words, or the margins are narrow. Additionally, the
user can specify that certain phrases are not to be broken up
between lines.

36 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 7

JULY 1981

Numbering pages is a standard feature of most word
processing systems. Very few allow the user to modify the
numbering sequence in the middle of the text. Memorite
does. Thus, text can be conformed to proper pagination if, for
example, there is an illustration that will be inserted in the
finished product.

The hardware includes an automatic sheet feeder that may
be attached to the Qume printers offered as part of the Vector
system. Memorite contains commands that allow the user to
enable and disable the sheet feeder through software command.

A good word processor includes provisions for appending
files from disk to the text currently in memory, and allows for
the insertion of text at various positions. Memorite allows

One area that
occasionally causes
problems— is hyphenation

both functions, performed by the operator with simple one
and two keystroke commands.

Much of the power of a word processing system depends
upon the ability to search and replace words and phrases with
alternatives. Vector’s software allows global or restricted
searches and replacements, searches with “wild cards’’ (ie
sc?? finds “scan’’ and “scat”) and searches for a limited
number of times.

The newest addition to word processing systems is a
spelling program that will scan the text and identify words that
do not match the program’s internal spelling dictionary.

Memorite includes a 30,000 word spelling dictionary that can
be invoked after text has been entered and stored on disk.
The program scans each line of text and pauses on each word
that it can’t identify. The operator can then either accept or
modify the word. Once accepted, the program will accept all
subsequent identical spellings of the word. Thus, in a technical
paper that makes frequent use of the same, unusual words,
only the program’s first encounter with the unusual word will
be questioned.

Strong in documentation management

Most documents have information about them which just
isn’t in the document itself and needs to be maintained some-
place. This information includes the author of the document,
date created, date last modified, comments about the docu-
ment, and perhaps something about who should and who
shouldn’t see it. Memorite has extensive capabilities in the
document management area, including a label attached to
each text file identifying all of the information above. Further,
the system has provisions for passwords to preclude
unauthorized access to sensitive documents. Further, the
system even allows the user to access the previous version.
(Automatic backup is standard on all files.)

The system supports multiple disk drives and also has all
capabilities for hard disk time-share and multi-user systems,
which may be implemented easily to form unique and very
powerful information processing systems.

No respectable word processing system is complete with-
out some provisions for a mailing list program. Many systems
are sparse when it comes to features in the mailing list.
This mailing list system is as good as any stand-alone system,
with some features not found in other commercially avail-
able systems.

Maintaining a mailing list is essentially a data base function.
Memorite includes a mini-data base that allows for the standard
functions, but also allows the user to create custom designed

RACET SORTS - RACET UTILITIES — RACET computes — RACET SORTS - RACET UTILITIES — RACET computes — RACET SORTS — RACET UTILITIES — RACET computes —

HARD DISK MULTIPLEXOR WITH 10 MEG HARD DISK
FOR THE TRS-80* Mod II
low YOU CAN HAVE THAT LARGE COMMON DATA BASE!!

Allows up to 4 Mod ll’s to connect to a single controller — up to 4 hard disk
drives per controller. Users may access the same file simultaneously (first-come
first-served).

Uses Cameo controller and standard 10-megabyte cartridge (hard) disk drives
along with RACET Hard/Soft Disk System (HSD) software.

Access times 3 to 8 times faster than floppy. Mixed floppy/hard disk operation
supported.

• Compatible with your existing TRSDOS programs! All BASIC statements
are identical.

• A single file may be as large as one disk. Alternate mode allows 24-million
byte record range. Directory expandable to handle thousands of files.

• Includes special utilities — backup and copies, HPURGE for multiple deletions,

HDCS directory catalog system, and Hard Disk Superzap. FORMAT utility
includes options for specifying sectors/gran, platters/drive, logical disk
size, etc.

HARD DISK DRIVE & CONTROLLER $5995 RACET HSD Software $400

Call for multiuser pricing. Dealers call for OEM pricing.

INFINITE BASIC (Mod I & III Tape or Disk) Mod I $50.00, Mod III $60.00

Extends Level II BASIC with complete MATRIX functions and 50 more string
functions. Includes RACET machine language sorts! Sort 1000 elements in 9
seconds! ! Select only functions you want to optimize memory usage.

INFINITE BUSINESS (Requires Infinite BASIC) Mod I & III $30.00

Complete printer pagination controls — auto headers, footers, page numbers.

Packed decimal arithmetic — 127 digit accuracy + , -, *, /. Binary search
Df sorted and unsorted arrays. Hash codes.

BASIC CROSS REFERENCE UTILITY (Mod II 64K) $50.00

SEEK and FIND functions for Variables, Line Numbers, Strings, Keywords. ‘AH’
options available for line numbers and variables. Load from BASIC — Call with
‘CTRL’R. Output to screen or printer!

DSM Mod I $75.00, Mod II $150.00, Mod III $90.00

Disk Sort/Merge for RANDOM files. All machine language stand-alone package for
sorting speed. Establish sort specification in simple BASIC command File. Execute
rom DOS. Only operator action to sort is to change diskettes when requested!

Handles multiple diskette files! Super fast sort times — improved disk 1/0 times
nake this the fastest Disk Sort/Merge available on your TRS.

(Mod I Min 32K 2-drive system. Mod II 64K 1 -drive. Mod III 32K 1 -drive)

★ ★NEW^ ★ DISCAT (32K1 -drive Min) Mod I, III $50.00

This comprehensive Diskette Cataloguing/Indexing utility allows the user to keep
track of thousands of programs in a categorized library. Machine language program
works with all TRSDOS and NEWD0S versions. Files include program names and
extensions, program length, diskette numbers, front and back, and diskette free space.

★ ★ NEWit ★

KFS-80 (1-drive 32K Min - Mod II 64K) Mod I, III $100.00; Mod II $175.00

The keyed file system provides keyed and sequential access to multiple files. Provides
the programmer with a powerful disk handling facility for development of data base
applications. Binary tree index system provides rapid access to file records.

★ ★NEW^

MAILLIST (1 -drive 32K Min - Mod II 64K) Mod I, III $75.00; Mod II $150.00

This ISAM-based maillist minimizes disk access times. Four keys — no separate
sorting. Supports 9-digit zip code and 3-digit state code. Up to 30 attributes. Mask
and query selection. Record access times under 4 seconds!!

★ ★ NEW ★ ★ LPSP00L (32K 1 -drive Min) Mod I $75.00

LPSP00L — Add multi-tasking to permit concurrent printing while running your
application program. The spooler and despooler obtain print jobs from queues
maintained by the system as print files are generated. LPSP00L supports both
parallel and serial printers.

UTILITY PACKAGE (Mod II 64K) $150.00

Important enhancements to the Mod II. The file recovery capabilities alone will pay
for the package in even one application! Fully documented in 124 page manual!
XHIT, XGAT, XCOPY and SUPERZAP are used to reconstruct or recover date from
bad diskettes! XCOPY provides multi-file copies, ‘Wild-card’ mask select, absolute
sector mode and other features. SUPERZAP allows examine/change any sector on
diskette include track-0, and absolute disk backup/copy with 1/0 recovery. DCS
builds consolidated directories from multiple diskettes into a single display or
listing sorted by disk name or file name plus more. Change Disk ID with DISKID.
XCREATE preallocates files and sets ‘ L0F’ to end to speed disk accesses. DEBUGII
adds single step, trace, subroutine calling, program looping, dynamic disassembly
and more!!

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO 71

DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE (Mod II 64K) $125.00

Includes RACET machine language SUPERZAP, Apparat Disassembler, and Model
II interface to the M’aosoft ‘Editor Assembler Plus’ software package including
uploading services and patches for Disk I/O. q _□

CHECK, VISA, M/C, C.O.D., PURCHASE ORDER RACET COMPUTES “ZJ

TELEPHONE ORDERS ACCEPTED (714)637-5016 ISTO N filasspl SnitP ‘M’

*TRS-80 IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK ' n!on« r a oomk M

OF TANDY CORPORATION 0ran 9 e ’ CA 92665

RAC ET_SORTS ^_R AC ET UTILITIES - RACET computes - RACET SORTS - RACET UTILITIES - RACET computes - RACET SORTS - RACET UTILITIES - RACET computes

RACET SORTS — RACET UTILITIES — RACET computes — RACET SORTS — RACET UTILITIES — RACET computes — RA

P&T CP/M®2 Supports
Hard Disk Storage
for the TRS-80 Model II

P&T CP/M 2 now supports two popular hard
disk subsystems for the Mod II; thus you can
combine all the features of the best CP/M for
the Mod II with the speed and capacity of the
hard disk drives.

Cameo Electronics

• uses mature cartridge disk technology for
maximum reliability

• supports up to 4 drives

• removable cartridges make backup and
data transfer fast and easy

Corvus System

• support for 10 and 20 Mbyte drives

• special mirror utility allows backup by
logical drive

• supports up to 4 drives

Price: $250 (FOB Goleta) for P&T CP/M 2-hard
disk version (CA residents add 6% sales tax)

PICKLES & TROUT

P. O. BOX 1206, GOLETA, CA 93116, (805) 685-4641

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research. TRS-80 is a trademark of Tandy Corp.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 68

ECT Building Blocks

for Microcomputer
Systems, Dedicated
Controllers and
Test Equipment

R 2 l/0
S-100 ROM,

RAM & I/O
BOARD

ECT’s R 2 l/0 is an S-100 Bus I/O Board with 3 Serial
I/O Ports (UART’s), 1 Parallel I/O Port, 4 Status Ports,
2K of ROM with the 8080 Apple Monitor Program and
2K of Static RAM.

$295.00

Specializing in Quality Microcomputer Hardware
Industrial • Educational • Small Business • Personal
Card Cages, Power Supplies, Mainframes, CPU’s,
Memory, 110, OEM Variations

ELECTRONIC CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

L 763 Ramsey Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205 (201) 686-8080 1

38 INTERFACE AGE circle inquiry no. 31

reports. The system is configured to accept information for
names (2 lines worth, so that titles may be included),
addresses, and 9 digit zip codes. Additional information
includes telephone number and a special field for salutations
(such as a nickname).

One of the most important fields is a "qualifier” that may
be up to 40 characters long. The Memorite system uses this
field for sorting the names and addresses and as the basis for
selection or exclusion of the data item. One missing feature
as a result of only having one key field is, sorting by zip code,
which is necessary in bulk mail. For this, the operator will
have to enter the zip code twice, once in the zip code field,
and again in the qualifier field. The user can enter up to 40
characters in the qualifier field. For example, it would be
possible to enter the zip code and additional qualifiers, such
as the business type, etc. of the data item.

Up to 32,764 names may be on the mailing list in any one
file. However, the sort and select program will only accept
3,700 for sorting, so for practical purposes this is the upper
limit for the mailing list system. Of course, the user can have
multiple files, each with up to 3,700 names, but these
separate lists cannot be sorted simultaneously.

The mailing list program is set up to print labels, lists,
or be merged into the Memorite system to print letters or
other documents.

There may be better word processing systems on the
market than Memorite, but I have yet to see one. The only
users who will have some needs that Memorite cannot fulfill
are writers of books. Memorite has no features for automatic
indexing and table-of-contents, nor does it provide for
chapters and pagination by chapters.

Execuplan

This is a series of programs that give the user an inter-
active electronic worksheet to produce numeric models of
accounting and financial data. Businessmen typically use
such models to produce forecasts, budgets, projections,
amortization and depreciation tables, error analyses, and
statistical calculations.

The programs basically allow the user to specify a worksheet
format, complete with columns and rows. Each column and
row is given a name. Then the user defines what goes where.
For example, each column might be defined as a month in the
year. Each row might be defined as an operating cost for the
business. The first column might represent the current
month’s data. Then, for each row (expense item) for every
successive month (column) the computer would be given
instructions on how to calculate the amount to be placed
there. This could be different for each row. One row might be
calculated based upon the results of other rows, such as a
percentage of another row. Certain rows might be percentages
of the prior months’ figures, and so forth. The possibilities
are endless.

Once the model is created, the user can modify it, run it
and view the results. Fine-tuning of the model can be
accomplished until it adequately reflects the data and results.
Then, the model may be saved, run on the screen, or printed.
The model itself may be very simple or extremely complex.
The model allows for all typical algebraic calculations and
includes trigometric functions, logarithms (natural and
decimal), exponentiation, summation, min-max, average and
means, variance and standard deviation, net present value,
square roots, absolute value and a counter to record the
number of items (used in statistics, for example).

The system is extremely flexible, very powerful, and easy
to use. Since it is written in assembly language, it runs fast.
The manual is simple and direct, although not as simple as the
Memorite manual. It is complete and directed at users who
have a very basic understanding of the computer.

These two packages represent the kind of software that
is necessary for a successful implementation of the
electronic office. □

JULY 1981

The MX-100. Not just better. Bigger.

Epson.

Our MX-80 was a pretty tough act to follow. I mean,
how do you top the best-selling printer in the world?

Frankly, it wasn't easy. But the results of all our
sleepless nights will knock your socks off.

The MX-100 is a printer that must be seen to be be-
lieved. For starters, we built in unmatched correspon-
dence quality printing, and an ultra-high resolution bit
image graphics capability. Then we added the ability to
print up to 233 columns of information on 15" wide
paper to give you the most incredible spread sheets
you're ever likely to see. Finally, we topped it all off
with both a satin- smooth friction feed platen and fully
adjustable, removable tractors. And the list of standard
features goes on and on and on.

Needless to say, the specs on this machine — and
especially at under $1000 — are practically unbelievable.
But there's something about the MX-100 that goes far

beyond just the specs; something about the way it all
comes together, the attention to detail, the fit, the feel.
Mere words fail us. But when you see an MX-100, you'll
know what we mean.

All in all, the MX-100 is the most remarkable printer
we've ever built. Which creates rather a large prob-
lem for those of us at
Epson.

How are we going to
top this?

Your next printer.

EPSON

EPSON AMERICA, INC.

23844 Hawthorne Boulevard • Torrance, CA 90505 • (213) 378-2220
See the whole incredible Epson MX Series of printers at your Authorized Epson Dealer.

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 35

INTERFACE AGE 39

by Tony Dirksen

An Apple for Energy

What’s in a name? In the politics of energy, maybe everything.

During recent years, the most talked-about elixers for our
energy afflictions have been characterized by simple,
suggestive names. “Solar”, “wind”, even “nuclear”— a
name that conjures for some a Buck Rogers future, for others,
an image of the final holocaust.

Yet one less glamorous energy alternative has gone almost
completely unnoticed by the general public, perhaps at least
partly because of its intimidating name. It’s tough for the
average person to get excited about a “pressurized fluidized
bed combustion generator”— the name makes it sound worse
than anything it might replace. But many, including the National
Academy of Sciences, think it may offer great promise for a
clean energy future.

Business Software
in Micropolis Basic

DATASMITH announces the availability of two
new turnkey business systems designed
especially for MICROPOLIS-Based computers,
including the VECTOR MZ. Both systems are
completely menu driven and highly interactive,
so they can be used effectively by your present
office staff.

• GENERAL LEDGER. Everything you need
to keep the books. Features easy-to-use
data entry and error correction, trial bal-
ance, posting, and a variety of comprehen-
sive reports. Automatic error detection
keeps the books in balance. Writes checks
and makes journal entries in one operation.

• PAYROLL. A very flexible system that
adapts to a wide variety of needs. Features
federal, state, and local tax calculations,
EIC credit, and special pay and deduction
amounts. Prints all necessary reports, pay-
checks, and W-2 forms.

Put your computer to work with these compre-
hensive systems now. Call or write for complete
details. Custom services also available.

DflTflSfIJTH

Box 8036, Shawnee Mission, KS 66208, (913) 381-9118

This is the story of one facility that’s using that energy
alternative despite its intimidating name. And how a computer
with a somewhat friendlier name— the Apple— came to be
part of it.

In a sense, the fluidized bed represents the next logical
stage in the evolution of power production. First came direct
water power. Then water was heated to run steam engines
and turbines. Now comes the fluidized bed, which eliminates
the water in the system, producing gasses that directly run
gas turbines.

Fluidized bed combustion is so sophisticated, it’s simple. A
generator heats pulverized coal particles in a pressurized
chamber. A stream of combustion air is blown through the
chamber, supporting the weight of the particles and causing
them to “float” like a fluid. Each particle is completely
enveloped by combustion air, so it burns more efficiently than
it would in a surface-burning coal generator. Gas from the com-
bustion of these particles operates a turbine to produce power.

Like most alternative energy technologies, the fluidized
bed concept must still be tested and proven. The first major
test is now underway in Grimethorpe, England, in an Inter-
national Energy Agency 65-watt demonstration project.

If the fluidized bed concept works, electric power plants
may cost less to build and operate, because:

• Power plants can be smaller, since a pressurized
fluidized bed combustor can be one-tenth the
size of a standard generator.

• Fuel costs are lower, since the fluidized bed can
produce up to one-third more kilowatts per
pound of coal than a standard burner.

• Fuel supplies are virtually guaranteed, because a
fluidized bed can burn lower grades of coal, or
even garbage.

And fluidized bed plants will produce less pollution, because:

• Nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced significantly,
since the 1600° F. temperature of the fluidized
bed is about half that of a standard coal burner.

• Sulphur emissions are lower, since limestone is
added to the fluidized bed to capture sulphur
compounds and produce gypsum.

One of the hurdles to the development of fluidized bed
combustion has been detecting fine particles in the gas duct
that can clog and erode the turbine. Acurex, a Mountain View,
CA company with a background in energy applications, took
on the task for Grimethorpe.

Particles gathered and tested

Acurex designed three identical probes to collect flyash
samples at different locations in the duct and report on the
changing size, distribution, and concentration of particles. A
nozzle from each probe enters a side pipe in the duct, draws
several samples, and weighs the particles in each sample.
The concentration of particles in the duct is calculated by
comparing the weight of the sample to the gas flow.

White-hot gas moves at hurricane velocities in the duct,
requiring a precisely controlled sampling system. And since
thermal expansion can change the duct dimensions by up to 2
inches, the 2500-pound probes must be precisely posi-
tioned. (They hang from enormous spring mountings to allow
for adjustments.)

Three Apple II Plus computers (one for each probe) are used
at Grimethorpe to position the probes in the gas duct and
measure pressures, temperatures, and flow data. In addition,
the computers remove a probe from the duct if sampling
problems develop, and describe repair procedures for the
operator to perform. Sampling takes place twice a day, leaving
the computers free for process data analysis or related
calculations when the probe is idle.

Each Grimethorpe system is a 48K Apple II Plus with floppy
disk drive, video monitor, and Silentype printer. Four boards

40 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 25

JULY 1981

Move Up to Tarbell

The Serious Business Machine

Do you have a small computer system that
operates with mini-floppies and has limited storage
capacity? Then it’s time to move up to the Tarbell
Empire Series System. Tarbell starts where small
systems leave off, providing storage from 1 to 20
megabytes. This means Tarbell is capable of
growing right along with your business. (It also
makes sense to start with Tarbell if you’re a first-
time computer buyer.)

Tarbell is the serious general purpose business
machine, backed by years of experience with disk
systems. It gives you word processing, inventory
control with bill of materials, mailing lists — all in
addition to accounting applications: general ledger,
payables, receivables, payroll with cost accounting
and order entry. Whatever your need may be,
Tarbell can provide the working software that gets
the job done.

With the Tarbell System you get a Z80 4 Mhz CPU
with memory management, timer and full interrupt
capability, 2 RS-232 serial ports with handshaking,
64 K bytes of random-access memory, double
density floppy disk interface, 2 double density
floppy disk drives, cabinet, power supply, and
cables.

The software includes: CP/M™ 2.2 disk operating
system, Tarbell Disk BASIC, Tarbell Database
System, and all manuals and documentation.

Tarbell also offers the MP/M™ Multi-User
Operating System and 4 additional RS-232 serial
ports.

The Tarbell Empire Series is delivered assembled,
tested, and with a FULL six-month warranty on
parts and labor.

And when you need even more mass storage,
Tarbell also has a hard disk that’s system-
compatible and provides easy back-up.

If your business is growing or you need more than
a few hundred K bytes — it’s time to move up to
Tarbell. Call your local Tarbell dealer for
competitive prices.

The One-Stop Shopping Service

950 Dovlen Place, Suite B
Carson, CA 90746
(213) 538-4251

CP/M and MP/M are trademarks of Digital Research

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 81

INTERFACE AGE 41

in the I/O slots control and time the probe. Two Hueristics
Controller 70 cards (each with 4 relays) control the movement
of the probe during sampling. An Interactive Structures AI-02
16-channel analog-to-digital converter board tells the com-
puter what the probe has found. And a Mountain Hardware
real-time Apple Clock is used to integrate and calculate gas
volumes, time various sampling operations, and log the date
and time on test summaries.

Programs control probes

A series of six programs operate the Grimethorpe sampling
probes. All programs are written in Applesoft Basic. Pro-
grammer Steve Chaump notes that: “As it is, we can perform
an entire sampling loop in about one second. If we had faster
data requirements, we probably would have used assembly-
language or Pascal programs instead.”

Although this was the first time Chaump had worked with a
microcomputer Basic, he found it relatively easy to make the
switch from Fortran programming. “I did have to make some
adjustments,” he says “like working around the two-character
variable names. But nothing was insurmountable.”

Two main programs control each probe during sampling.
Four additional programs are used for set-up, calibration, and
troubleshooting. During each sampling run, a controlling pro-
gram positions the probe at up to 50 different duct positions,
takes measurements of the pressures and temperatures in
both the gas duct and the sampler, performs calculations on
the measurements, and produces a hard copy of the data.

The other programs allow the operator to do such things as
change the number or location of sampling points in the duct,
or test the probe without making a full run of the system.

The Grimethorpe application may itself have spin-offs,
notes Mike Shackleton of Acurex. “While these probes were
designed specifically for the Grimethorpe operation, they can
be adapted by simple design changes to collect process data
in other high temperature, high pressure facilities such as

Control system hardware

coal gasifiers and catalytic petroleum crackers.” Acurex is
currently working on a development program for hot gas filter
devices: they’ve been using an Apple computer in their
experimental designs.

If the Grimethorpe facility proves successful, it may be that
Apples will take an increasing role in fluidized bed power
development. Now all we have to do is come up with a less
intimidating name for it. How about Orange Power? □

Announcing PRISM/LMS."...

INDISP€NSflBl€ ! ! !

PRISM/LMS is the ultimote multi-
purpose List Management System
for CP/M*. Once you've got it,
you'll uuonder how you ever got
along aiithout it.

• Create Mailing Lists, Customer
Lists, Parts Lists, Member Lists,
Patient Lists, employee Lists, Project
Lists, and much, much more.

• Store the information you want... you are
never limited to a ”pre-defined" file format.

• Print mailing labels, envelopes, pre-printed
forms, Rolodex cards... even personalized
form letters.

• Produce informative reports with record
selection, automatic formatting, and
column totals.

• Casy to use— absolutely no
programming or technical
expertise required!

The price for all this capability?
Unbeatable at only $250. But for a
limited time you can purchase PRISM/LMS
at the special introductory price of just $225.

See PRISM/LMS at your dealer today and
discover what you've been missing!

PRisnn

flTIMEJ Micro Applications Group

7300 Coldus fivenue, Van Nuys. Californio 91406 (213) 881-8076

*CP/M is o registered
trademark of Digitial Research.

42 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

Automated
Equipment

I NCORPORATED

Call Toll-Free for latest low prices!
1-800-854-7635 Outside CA
714-963-1414 Inside CA
1-800-854-7635 Outside Cont. USA
Prices change daily to meet competition.

18430 Wand. Fountain Valley, CA 82708

TERMINALS

TELEVIDEO 912 B

CALL

TELEVIDEO 912 C

CALL

TELEVIDEO 920 B

CALL

TELEVIDEO 920 C

CALL

SOROC IQ-120

675

ZENITH A- 19

750

HAZELTINE 1500

995

TELEVIDEO 950

CALL

NORTHSTAR

HRZ-1D-32K CALL

HRZ-2D-32K CALL

HRZ-1Q-32K CALL

HRZ-2Q-32K CALL

ADDITIONAL 16K RAM CALL

ADDITIONAL 32K RAM CALL

HARD DISK SYSTEM CALL

SPECIAL MEMORY CONFIGURATIONS
AVAILABLE. INCLUDING SYSTEMS GROUP.

VIP's customarily need top quality and
service within stringent budgetary limits,
naturally, they call A.E.I.

Item: A.E.I. tests virtually every* item
sold, before shipping.

Item: A.E.I. initializes every piece of soft-
ware, and makes a copy. If you have a
problem, A.E.I. can check to locate the
problem by using the in-house duplicate,
saving you time.

Item: A.E.I. has in-house expetise on
every item offered.

Item: A.E.I. prices are competitive with
the lowest, no-service, no in-house exper-

tiep Hpolpr

40% OF ALL A.E.I. SALES ARE TO
PUBLIC AND SEMI-PUBLIC INSTITU-
TIONS.

A partial list** of A.E.I. customers who
purchased during the last quarter of 1980
includes: University of Nebraska, Univer-

PRINTERS

NEC 5510 (TRACT., RIB., THIM) . . . $2600
NEC 5515 (TRACT., RIB., THIM) .... 2600
NEC 5520 (TRACT., RIB., THIM) .... 2900

NEC 5530 (TRACT, RIB., THIM) 2540

EPSON MX 100 CALL

TI-810 1495

TI-820 1625

EPSON MX 80 CALL

EPSON MX 70 CALL

ANADEX DP-9500/9501 CALL

c SKA*

VIP’s l ull A.E.I.

sity of Virginia, U.S. Dept, of Interior, Uni-
versity of Kentucky, University of Cali-
fornia, Massachusetts Institute of Tech-
nology, U.S. Air Force, Naval Air Develop-
ment Center, Brown University, University
of Oregon, University of Utah, Ohio State
University, University of Southern Cali-
fornia, California State Dept of Water
Resources, University of Michigan, and
Princeton University.

In the private sector, an equal number of
major national organizations purchased
during the same period.

You can call A.E.I. too!

’With our normal fast shipping, we have time to test;
expedited shipment may preclude testing
•*A.E.I. does not wish to imply that any of these fine
organizations endorse A.E.I.. merely that A.E.I. is proud
to have them as customers

S.S.M.

KIT

ASM

CB2 Z80 CPU

....$200 ..

. . . $265

VB1C VIDEO

. . . . 140 . .

... 190

VB2 VIDEO

.... 155 ...

... 210

VB3 VIDEO

. ... 375 ...

. . . 440

104 INTERFACE

. ... 165 ...

. . . 225

SB1 SYNTHESIZER ...

. ... 195 ...

. . . 270

MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS MEMORY

DM3200 32K 4MHZ 480

DM6400 64K 4MHZ 595

DMB3200 32K4MHZ BANK SELECT .. 630
DMB6400 64K4MHZ BANK SELECT .. 745

MISCELLANEOUS

NEC THIMBLES $16

NEC RIBBONS 7

RS2332 CABLE 5* 20

RS 232 CABLE 10" 25

LEDEX MONITOR 145

NOVATION CAT 145

DYNABYTE SYSTEMS ALSO
AVAILABLE— CALL FOR THE
EXCITING NEWS ABOUT NEW
COMPETITIVE PRICING!

WE WILL TRY TO BEAT ANY
ADVERTISED PRICE.

TERMS: All prices listed are cash discounted
and subject to change. COD’s are 2%
additional. Universities and well-rated
firms Net-10.

SHIPPING: ADDITIONAL IN ALL CASES.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:

WE TRY TO HELP INTERFACE AND

TROUBLESHOOT— CALL (714) 963-1414.

Open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a. m. -5:00 p.m.

Dealer Inquiries Invited.

MORROW

DECISION 1 BASIC $1550

DISCUS-1 2 DRIVE 1550

DISCUS 2D 1 DRIVE 935

DISCUS 2D 2 DRIVE 1550

DISCUS 2+2 1 DRIVE 1250

DISCUS 2+2 2 DRIVE 2190

DISC JOCKEY 2D 350

DISCUS M26 HARD DISC 3925

ADDITIONAL HARD DISC 3685

DISCUS M10 2990

SOFTWARE

$330

GRAHAM-DORIAN

JOB COSTING

. $700

. 100

INVENTORY

. 475

. 250

CASH REG

. 475

. 160

APARTMENT

. 475

. 290

MEDICAL

. 700

. 100

ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE DISCOUNTS WITH SYSTEM PURCHASE

DISCS BOX OF 10

VERBATUM 5'A 1 SIDE ..

. . $27

VERBATUM 5% 2 SIDE ..

. . . 45

VERBATUM 8 1 SIDE....

...35

VERBATUM 8 2 SIDE....

...55

OTHERS

CALL

PLASTIC STORAGE

BOXES

.... 3

OUR SYSTEMS WORK!

All systems normally tested and configured in our repair facility before delivery. Service contracts available. Prompt repairs and warranties.

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 6

INTERFACE AGE 43

System of the Month

Commodore CBM

by Tom Fox

The CBM by Commodore Business Machines, Santa
Clara, CA is a computer system that unashamedly
admits its home computer heritage, while declaring it is
now grown up enough to be considered for serious
work in a business environment. A study of this system
is instructive, for it embodies both the best and the
worst of this method of breeding.

By its very name, the unit asks to be judged as a
business computer, so we will treat it that way. In this
arena, it does not come off nearly so well as the Pet, its
successful Commodore counterpart on the home com-
puter front.

Is this because the CBM is too small to handle
serious business work? No, for surely there are small
computing tasks as well as large ones in most of
today’s businesses. The reason can be explained in
two words: excess baggage. The CBM arrives at the
business doorstep accompanied by a mound of features
that were useful and even fun in the game room at
home, but are inappropriate to the new environment. In
the new surroundings, the features become unwelcome
quirks that get in the way of doing the job at hand. The
situation is disappointing, but correctable, since the
problems lurk in that part of a computer that is the most
easily altered: the software.

The CBM can be thought of as a Pet with peripherals.
The main computer/terminal unit is the 2001 series
professional computer. It is delivered in a package with
a model 2040 dual drive floppy disk, 2022 series tractor
printer, interconnecting cables, demonstration diskette
and instruction manuals. The only addition needed to
make it useful is suitable applications programming.

One of the company’s strongest suits is the attention
lavished on robust packaging of products. The main
CBM computer/terminal unit is a good example of this.
Packaging the computer, keyboard and display screen
together is a common arrangement these days, but this
unit boasts a functional, yet distinctive appearance. Its
base houses the computer itself and a typewriter-style
keyboard. Perched atop is a trapezoidal helmet cradling
a CRT display screen. The assembly will occupy an
18-in. by 20-in. rectangle on your desk and sit 16 in. tall.

Remove two screws and the lid of the main unit
(including keyboard and CRT) swings back on a sturdy

piano hinge along the rear edge. Like the engine
compartment of some automobiles, there’s even a prop
to hold the top out of the way while both hands are
busy inside the machine. The bottom plate is formed of
massive steel plate; the rest of the enclosure molded
of rigid expanded plastic.

The inside is largely empty, its main occupant being
a single etched circuit board about 10 in. by 15 in. in
size. This board contains the computer, including its
input-output circuitry and all memory, as well as the
power supply (except for transformer and filter capac-
itor). The largest integrated circuit chips are held by
sockets for ease of replacement. This includes the
8-bit 6502 microprocessor and supporting devices as
well as read-only memory— but not the random-access
user memory.

Your search for a small speaker or other sound maker
will go unrewarded. The CBM, it appears, is as mute as
many of the current generation of microcomputers
(including the higher-priced Radio Shack model II).
There are many times in business computing when a
discreet “beep” is a valuable thing— to indicate a critical
operator error, or notify when a disk backup procedure
is finished, for example. Experienced applications pro-
grammers miss this added dimension for communicating
with the user. The parts can’t be that expensive.

The keyboard’s 74 keys are connected to the main
circuit board by a fat umbilical containing 1 8 separate
wires, suggesting that the main processor is busied
with figuring out which key has been depressed. The
arrangement leads to some minor operational quirks.
Rollover logic, for example, works for some key
combinations but not others. (Rollover is the action of
depressing two keys almost simultaneously, without
releasing one before the other is pushed. Keyboards
without at least two-key rollover logic can drop
characters for very fast or moderately sloppy typists.
The best keyboards— not often found in micro-
computers — incorporate “n”-key rollover.) Another
quirk: striking certain combinations of three keys at the
same time will cause none of them to appear on the
screen, but a separate, quite undesired one. Here’s a
case where the machine can make typing errors, if not
manipulated properly.

44 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

Two aspects of the keyboard hardware/software are
more welcome, and, in fact, superior to much of the
competition. The keys are of the full-stroke, full-sized
electrical contact type, quite comfortable under the
fingers. In addition, the systems software allows one
level of Basic command to be “typed ahead”, while the
computer is processing an instruction. The command
will then be performed automatically when the pro-
cessor has finished with its current task.

The display screen is a jewel— an emerald, to be
precise. Its crisp, green definition of characters and
special graphics symbols puts many other micro-
computer displays to shame. Only 40 characters can
be displayed per line, with up to 25 lines of type visible
at a time. The 40-character width limitation is a bother
in word processing applications, since few documents
utilize margins this narrow. It’s a shortcoming sadly
shared by some other micros in the CBM’s general
price range.

Graphics pros and cons

Low-cost graphics are among the company’s historical
strengths. The CBM carries this commitment to a fault.
Each of the CRT screen’s 1 ,000 character positions is
made up of a 7 by 7 array of tiny glowing green dots,
promising a resolution of 49,000 pixels (picture
elements) on the 9-in. screen. The individual dots are
not accessible to the programmer, but many useful
combinations are. Nearly every position has a secondary
shifted graphics character associated with it. These
range from solid character-sized blocks to thin lines
and arc segments to special symbols such as the
hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades suits on a deck of
playing cards. The symbols are captioned prominently
on the front edge of the keys themselves, easing your
search for the unfamiliar squiggles. The screen can be
set in a green-on-black or reversed black-on-green
mode at will. An imaginative programmer can draw
almost any chosen picture more conveniently with this
than any other microcomputer we know.

Of what use is graphics on a business computer?
Very little, if the crop of currently available programs is
any indication. Perhaps this is because the system has
capabilities not yet appreciated by business pro-
grammers. Packages such as payroll and general
ledger have come to us by way of large mainframes and
minicomputers, where picture-drawing magic is a rarity.
There is no doubt, however, that business applications
programs could be made more attractive, usable and
easily understandable with the judicious use of
graphics. We will just have to wait for human talents to
catch up with those of their machinery.

For the present, graphics is one of those things that
gets in the way of the comfortable use of the CBM as
an office computer. On the model we tested, the shifted
representation of nearly every key is a graphics symbol.
Only the unshifted keys are usable in the traditional
sense. (The familiar CONTROL key, often used for
secondary case shifting, is missing from this keyboard.)
One distressing result of all this is that the row of keys
above the alphabet that normally contains numbers is
devoted exclusively to punctuation symbols. You have
to use the separate calculator-style key pad on the right
to enter the numerals 0 through 9, as well as some other
often-used symbols, such as the period and dash. It’s a
difficult transition for those who, after years of practice,

can reliably hit the number of keys on a typewriter
without looking. The graphics capabilities can be
disabled and a pseudo-standard upper/lower case
mode invoked by the forgettable (and undocumented)
POKE 59468,14 command. A version of the system is
available with a more standard keyboard; it seems a
more appropriate choice for this machine’s intended use.

The floppy disk drive supplied shares the parent
unit’s “build ’em stout” philosophy. The unit takes up a
bit less desk space, and is constructed mainly of formed
steel. The two halves open up like a clam and, yes,
there’s another automobile-style hood prop. Inside is a
pair of 5%-in. minifloppy diskette drive assemblies,
supplied by Shugart. The drives accommodate soft-
sectored, double-density diskettes that will each hold
some 1 70K bytes (characters) of information.

The drive electronics are distributed over four
circuit boards: a small head-position servo card for
each drive, a shared analog circuit card and large
digital logic card. The latter contains at least as much
computing horsepower as the main processor (including
its own 6502 chip).

The disk drive communicates with the main processor
via the IEEE-488 interface protocol. This is the same
as the computer-to-instrumentation standard developed
as Hewlett-Packard’s HP-IB, and it’s a pleasant surprise
to find it a part of the CBM. It works like this: a single
cable connects to the rear of the main processor box
and daisy chains to each peripheral in turn. In this case,
these peripherals start out with the floppy disk drive and
printer. Each device is assigned a hardware address,
referred to by the software when data is to be trans-
ferred to or from it. The arrangement is far neater than
the traditional one, where individual cables of differing
electrical and mechanical specifications are routed
from each peripheral device to the main computer.

If elegant in concept, the IEEE-488 bus is flawed in
at least one execution detail. The end of the cable that
connects to the computer is a push-on socket that
clutches the protruding edge of the main processor
circuit board. It’s one of three such connectors, and
they are not labeled. The only thing that keeps you
from plugging a cable into the wrong one is a fragile
flake of plastic, easily crushed if the wrong plug is
tried. Even if you choose correctly the first time, the
shard is likely to slip out and drop into the dark innards
of the computer when the cable is next unplugged. A
careful reading of the instruction manual will keep you
from damaging the computer, but a better design is
clearly needed here.

Fast printing speed

The small printer that’s supplied incorporates the
well-engineered Epson dot matrix mechanism. It will
print 80 characters across sheets of paper up to 1 0 in.
in width. The paper must be of the continuous pin-feed
type, since the printer does not utilize a roller for
feeding the paper through. Individual sheets of paper,
such as letterhead or envelopes, can’t be used. Printing
speed is up to 150 characters per second, but this is
realizable only on those lines containing the full 80
characters. The reason is that the print head carriage
assembly moves at constant velocity across the page,
and has no way to move quickly back to the left margin
after printing a short line. The logic circuitry within is
notable in that the entire complement of graphics

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 45

characters available to the screen can be duplicated on
the printed page. It’s a valuable capability that can’t be
duplicated on many printers with much higher price tags.

Commodore-supplied software is the gelled-type
called firmware. Common in personal computers but
unusual in business class machines, the arrangement
carries a hidden benefit: it’s crash-proof.

What does this mean? Software programs are
normally entered into computer memory from a diskette,
where they reside, so long as they are doing their
work. Firmware is the term for program instructions
supplied as permanently-embossed patterns in a tiny
plug-in integrated circuit chip. This device, also called
read-only memory (ROM), is inserted mechanically into
the processor board. Once inserted, a program in firm-
ware can’t be altered by anything short of bodily harm
to the computer.

“Crashes” in computers are conditions where the
machine appears to be locked up, unresponsive to your
attempts to get its attention. It usually happens
because the mechanism is executing an unplanned-for
endless loop of useless instructions. The most common
cause is a garbled instruction in one of the programs.
This can happen for a variety of reasons, including
power line surges and programmer brain fade. But a
program cast in a ROM chip— firmware— can 't be
garbled by any means that leaves the rest of the com-
puter undamaged. Thus, the crash-proof computer.

The main processor contains eight sockets for plug-in
ROM chips. As delivered, all but three are occupied.
They contain Commodore’s systems software: the disk
operating system and Basic language. It’s appropriate
that software of this sort be embalmed in ROM, since
it’s the kind that rarely — if ever — needs to be altered.
The three remaining empty ROM sockets await appli-
cations programs. The financial planning program
VisiCalc, as well as the WordPro word processor, for
example, each come in their CBM incarnation with a
plug-in ROM, as well as additional software in floppy
diskette form.

One major drawback

The operating system is the all-important software
that establishes a computer’s personality to the user,
since part of its function is to manage communications
to and from the human-readable interfaces: keyboard,
screen and printer. It is in this area where the prosaic
lineage of the system shows up in its most annoying
form. The Pet operating system simply wasn’t designed
for business, and it shows.

The unsophisticated user could be fooled into thinking
that the system has no operating system at all— just a
Basic language. Nothing could be further from the
truth, of course, since Basic was not designed for such
things as managing disk transfers and communicating
via the IEEE-488 bus to other peripherals. It’s the
operating system’s job to handle these functions. But
in this case, important communications between the
user and operating system must be strained through
the highly inappropriate syntax of the Basic language.

By all appearances, the disk operating procedures
were spliced onto, rather than integrated into, the Pet
operating system. This shows up in the complexity of
the Basic file reading and writing statements, as well
as the PRESS PLAY ON TAPE #1 command, which
occasionally appears unbidden on the screen. This is in

46 INTERFACE AGE

reference to an audio cassette tape drive, not supplied
with the system, and, most would agree, not appropriate
on a serious business computer.

While exploring the capabilities of CBM’s Basic, we
were initially alarmed when we couldn’t find the PRINT
USING construct represented. (This is the all-important
facility that allows a programmer to easily line up the
decimal points in a column of financial numbers, for
example.) We found we were looking in the wrong
place. It’s the CBM’s printer that takes care of the
fancy number formatting, not the software!

Unusual formatting procedure

In Basic, the programmer opens two file channels to
the printer: one for the “using” mask, the other for the
data itself. The printer hardware saves the mask as
sent over one channel, and uses it to re-arrange data
transmitted via the other, so that it looks pretty on the
page. The full range of normal PRINT USING formats
are supported: floating dollar sign, trailing minus sign,
etc. It’s an unexpected— but not necessarily inferior-
way of handling the formatting problem. The technique
does, however, carry two undesirable side effects:
data formatted for the display screen must be handled
in a quite different manner than that destined for the
printer; and a departure such as this only worsens the
problem of translating Basic applications programs
from other computers.

In processing speed, the class of the agile 6502
microprocessor shows through. The Basic was able to
execute our Prime Number Cruncher benchmark
program (IA Jun 80) in 1,159 seconds. That’s about
20% slower than the similiarly-equipped Apple II + ;
40% faster than Radio Shack’s TRS-80 model I, with
its Z80 microprocessor.

The documentation is a bit of a puzzle. It fundamen-
tally consists of four things: a user’s guide, separate
(and larger) user manuals for the floppy disk drive and
printer, and a suggested reading list. Strike the word
suggested, for the other three books are inadequate to
stand on their own. First on the suggested list is an
extra cost user manual, and it’s followed by nearly a
dozen Basic language tutorials. CBM-specific Basic
knowledge is scattered sparsely across the three
manuals supplied with - the system. Nowhere is there a
comprehensive listing of the Basic commands and how
each can be used.

The system, as described here, lists for $3,385. This
breaks down into $1,295 for the terminal/processor
unit, another $1,295 for the dual floppy diskette drive
and $795 for the printer. At that price, the processor
contains its maximum complement of 32K bytes of user
memory. Applications programs, such as VisiCalc and
WordPro, are priced separately. A 16K-byte version is
available at a $300 saving, but a lot of business
programs (including VisiCalc and WordPro) require the
full 32K bytes to work properly.

It has also been announced that a version with a
“true” disk operating system, designated 4.0, will soon
be available. In addition to featuring more integrated disk
commands, the new firmware is said to operate faster
and to support another new product: an 80-column
display screen. It appears that the company (or the
marketplace) has spotted the same shortcomings we
have in the system’s current stage of development. □

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 1

JULY 1981

If your accounting system
is in the Dark Ages,
you should talk to

Systems Plus

Accounting Plus brings up-to-the-minute accounting power to the microcomputer
industry.

Accounting Plus is an extremely easy-to-use, fully integrated seven-module accounting
system. It includes complete data entry prompting, extensive error checking and ^
one-time-only data entry features.

Accounting Plus features: General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts
Payable, Inventory, Sales Order Entry, Purchase Order Entry
and payroll .

Accounting Plus is a comprehensive on-line system, with all
transactions applied immediately, and results accessible „ 4

without long delays associated with batch-type
transactions. \

Invoices, statements, checks, purchase orders ^ ^ - ^

and sales orders are prepared using pre- /

printed standard forms. /

If you are ready to enjoy solid

call Systems Plus
Our software operates
under CP/Mf MP/Mf or
CDOS°° operating sys-
terns. Yesterday’s dreams
are available today,
off the shelf.

3975 East Bayshore ■

Palo Alto, CA 94303
(415) 969-7047

Systems Plus

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 79

INTERFACE AGE 47

Sounds of the Atari
...in Basic

Part V Random Generation of Sound

We’ve demonstrated a number of ways to determine
patterns of sound and graphics for the Atari computer,
as well as ways to allow the user to input information
while a program is running. So far, all of the sequences
have been specifically defined in the program or
through the input statement. Let’s now look at ways to
allow the computer to randomly generate some

the program loop. The program seems to provide an
interesting variety of notes, but the duration of each is
too consistent to make a very interesting listening
pattern overall. By adding a random function to the
duration loop, you can introduce variety in the length of
notes. Here’s a program that puts a random time loop
in a subroutine and then has each of the four voices

choices of its own.

Suppose you want the computer to generate a
random number between 0 and 1 0. The statement to
do this would be: 10*RND(1).

To see what numbers the machine is generating, you
can enter this statement in a short program.

10 PRINT 10*RND(1)

20 FOR T = 1 TO 100

30 NEXT T

40 GOTO 10

If you run this program, the machine will generate
and print numbers with a decimal point followed by a
fractional part. For most applications, you’ll want to
generate whole numbers or integers. The statement to
do this is: INT (10*RND(1)).

Change line 10 of the program above to:

10 PRINT INT(10*RND(1))

play a randomly selected note from one of four different
parts of the spectrum of note available in Atari Basic.

10 SOUND 0,INT(60*RND(1) + 1 ), 1 0, 1 0
20 GOSUB 500
30 SOUND 0,0, 0,0

40 SOUND 1,INT(60*RND(1) + 60),10,10
50 GOSUB 500
60 SOUND 1,0, 0,0

70 SOUND 2,INT(60*RND(1) + 120), 10, 10
80 GOSUB 500
90 SOUND 2, 0,0,0

100 SOUND 3,INT(60*RND(1) + 180), 10, 10
110 GOSUB 500
120 SOUND 3,0, 0,0
200 GOTO 10

500 FOR T = 1 TO INT(30*RND(1) + 10)

510 NEXT T
520 RETURN

Now when you run the program, the machine will
print all whole numbers from 0 to 9 inclusive.

In order to have the machine select integers between
1 and 10 the random number function in line 10 is
changed as follows:

10 PRINT INT(10*RND(1) + 1)

You can use a random integer function in a SOUND
statement also.

10 SOUND 0,INT(100*RND(1) + 101), 10, 10
20 FOR T = 1 TO 25
30 NEXT T
40 GOTO 10

In the time loop.XwW have a random value between
10 and 30. The first voice will play a random note value
between 1 and 60 for a random duration, determined
by subroutine 500.

The second voice plays a note between 60 and 1 20.
The third plays between 1 20 and 1 80, and the fourth
voice between 180 and 240. This program begins to
introduce considerably more variety in the tonal
patterns generated.

You can use a random function with IF-THEN state-
ments discussed in the last issue to randomly select a
note from a specific set of notes. To demonstrate this,
here’s a program that will pick one of the three notes
from a C Major triad four times and then pick a note
from a G Major triad four times.

This program will randomly select note values
between 1 00 and 200 to be played each time through

10 FOR CYCLE = 1 TO 4
20 N = INT(3*RND(1) + 1)

48 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

30 IF N = 1 THEN NO = 121
40 IF N = 2 THEN NO = 96
50 IF N = 3 THEN NO = 81
60 SOUND 0, NO, 10,10
70 FOR T = 1 TO 20
80 NEXT T
90 SOUND 0,0, 0,0
100 NEXT CYCLE
110 FOR CYCLE = 1 TO 4
120 N = INT(3*RND(1) + 1)

130 IF N = 1 THEN N1 =81
140 IF N = 2 THEN N1 =64
150 IF N = 3 THEN N1 =53
160 SOUND 1 ,N1 ,10,10
1 70 FOR T = 1 TO 20
180 NEXT T
190 SOUND 1,0, 0,0

It is also possible to input a numeric value to a random
function. This application would be useful if you wanted
to limit the range of a particular sequence of notes
played. Here’s a program that allows the user to make
such a choice through an INPUT statement.

10 PRINT “PICK A NOTE RANGE BETWEEN”

11 PRINT “0 AND 255”

20 INPUT N

30 FOR CYCLE = 1 TO 100

40 SOUND 0,INT(N*RND(1) + 1),10,10
50 FOR T = 1 TO 40: NEXT T
60 NEXT CYCLE

A few graphics statements will give a visual rep-
resentation of the range established by the value of N
which is input at line 20. The addition of

5 GRAPHICS 6

6 COLOR 1

7 SETCOLOR 2,8,2

will cause the computer to enter a graphics mode
which has a text window in which the PRINT statement
can be displayed. Mode 6 provides 1 58 columns and
80 rows for plot points. Add the following.

31 NO = INT(N*RND(1) + 1 )

32 A = NO/2

33 B = INT(75*RND(1) + 1 )

35 PLOT A,B

Change line 40 to: 40 SOUND 0,N0,10,10.

This will cause points to be plotted in an area from
the left side of the screen. The range of that area will
be a function of the value of N which is input at line 20.

With instruments like the violin or the human voice,
there is a technique called portamento. This refers to
the sliding from one note to another without any break
in the sound. This effect can be accomplished in Atari
Basic using a FOR-NEXT loop as follows.

10 FOR X = 1 TO 25

20 SOUND 0,121 +X,10,10

30 NEXT X

40 SOUND 0,0, 0,0

50 FOR T = 1 TO 1 00: NEXT T

60 GOTO 10

This will result in a note that will begin at middle C
and slide to a lower note. You’ll remember that an
increased value for the note parameter causes a lower

note to be played by the computer. To create an
ascending tone, change the value of the note parameter
in line 20 to 121 -X. This will result in a tone sliding
upwards from middle C.

If you wished to randomize the length of the slide in
this program, you could change line 10 to something
like: 10FORX = 1 TO INT(40*RND(1) + 20).

This would result in a slide of varying length. With
this information, it is possible to develop a program that
will randomly select from a series of notes in any given
passage. At the same time variables such as repetitions
of a given cycle, note duration, and length of portamento
(slide), can be determined by INPUT statements.
Here’s an example of a program which makes use of
these possibilities.

10 GRAPHICS 6
20 COLOR 1
30 SETCOLOR 2,6,2
40 PRINT “NOTE DURATION”

50 INPUT Z

60 PRINT “TIMES THRU C MAJOR CYCLE”

65 INPUT C

70 PRINT “TIMES THRU E MIN CYCLE”

75 INPUT E

80 PRINT “TIMES THRU G MAJ CYCLE”

85 INPUT G

90 PRINT "LENGTH OF SLIDE”

95 INPUT Y

100 FOR CYCLE = 1 TO C
110 A = INT(4*RND(1) + 1)

120 IF A = 1 THEN NO = 121
130 IF A = 2 THEN NO = 96

INMAC INTRODUCES
THE SOLUTION TO YOUR MICRO SUPPLY
AND ACCESSORY NEEDS.

• One-Stop Shopping. This new catalog offers over 1,000
products specifically for Micro Computers. Compatible with
Apple, Atari, Northstar, TRS-80s and many others.

• Convenient Ordering. By mail or phone, ordering supplies
and accessories from this catalog will be quick and easy

• Fast Delivery. We'll ship your order within 24 hours from our
distribution centers in New Jersey, California, Illinois and Texas.
Overnight delivery available.

• Top Quality Products. Virtually all our products are
guaranteed for at least one year. Risk-free trial of any product
for 45 days.

Send for your FREE /J
Inmac Catalog or call If m fuL

(408) 727-1970. Dept. Micro, 2465 Augustine Drive,

Available June 1, 1981. Santa Clara, CA 95051

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY no. 43 INTERFACE AGE 49

DISK DRIVE WOES?

PRINTER INTERACTION?

MEMORY LOSS?

ERRATIC OPERATION?

Don’t

Blame The
Software!

Power Line Spikes, Surges &

Hash could be the culprit!

Floppies, printers, memory & processor often interact! Our unique
ISOLATORS eliminate equipment interaction AND curb damaging
Power Line Spikes, Surges and Hash.

• ISOLATOR (ISO-1) 3 filter isolated 3-prong sockets; integral
Surge/Spike Suppression; 1875 W Maximum load, 1 KW load any

et $62.95

ISOLATOR (ISO-2) 2 filter Isolated 3-prong socket banks; (6
sockets total); Integral Spike/Surge Suppression; 1875 W Max

load, 1 KW either bank $62.95

SUPER ISOLATOR (ISO-3), similar to ISO-1 except double

filtering & Suppression $94.95

ISOLATOR (lso-4), similar to ISO-1 except unit has 6

individually filtered sockets $106.95

ISOLATOR (ISO-5), similar to ISO-2 except unit has 3 socket

banks, 9 sockets total $87.95

CIRCUIT BREAKER, any model (add-CB) Add $ 8.00

CKT BRKR/SWITCH/PILOT (-CBS) Add $16.00

Master-Charge, Visa, American Express
Order Toll Free 1-800-225-4876
(except AK, HI, MA, PR & Canada)

Electronic Specialists , Inc.

171 South Main Street. Natick. Mass. 01760

Technical & Non-800: 1-617-655-1532

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 32

8” DISK CONTROLLER

NOW— DOUBLE SIDED OPTION!

• DOUBLES APPLE ][ STORAGE

• APPLE DOS COMPATIBLE

• SHUGART 800 OR 850 COMPATIBLE

• IBM 3740 DATA ENTRY CAPABILITY

• CP/M, UCSD PASCAL CAPABILITY
Available at your local APPLE Dealer: $400.

SORRENTO VALLEY ASSOCIATES

11722 SORRENTO VALLEY RD.
SAN DIEGO, CA 92121

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 73

140 IF A = 3 THEN NO = 81
150 IF A = 4 THEN N0 = 64
160 GOSUB 500
170 NEXT CYCLE
200 FOR CYCLE = 1 TO E
210 A = INT(4*RND(1) + 1)

220 IF A = 1 THEN NO = 96
230 IF A = 2 THEN NO = 81
240 IF A = 3 THEN NO = 64
250 IF A = 4 THEN NO = 53
260 GOSUB 500
270 NEXT CYCLE
300 FOR CYCLE = 1 TO G
310 A = INT(4*RND(1) + 1 )

320 IF A = 1 THEN NO = 162
330 IF A = 2 THEN NO = 1 28
340 IF A = 3 THEN NO = 108
350 IF A = 4 THEN NO = 72
360 GOSUB 500
370 NEXT CYCLE

500 W = INT(2*RND(1) + 1)

501 IF W = 1 THEN 506

502 IF W = 2 THEN 504

504 FOR X = 1 TO Y

505 GOTO 510

506 FOR X = Y TO 1 STEP -1
510 SOUND 0,N0 + X,10,10
520 NEXT X

530 FOR T = 1 TO Z
540 NEXT T

550 P = INT(150*RND(1) + 5)
560 Q = INT(70*RND(1) + 5)
570 PLOT P.Q
600 RETURN

The cycles established in lines 100-170, 200-270,
and 300-370 in this program consist of the notes of a C
Maj 7 chord, an E minor 7th chord, and a C Major chord
with added 9th.

Lines 40 and 50 allow the user to affect the note
duration as established by the value of z in lines 530
and 540.

Lines 60 through 85 allow for the determination of
the number of cycles for each chord.

Lines 90 and 95 allow for an INPUT to establish the
length of the portamento (slide).

This slide is executed by the FOR-NEXT loop in lines
500-520. Lines 500-502 create a random choice
between an ascending and descending slide.

The ascending slide results in a final note of the
portamento that is some distance from the pitch values
established by the values of NO in the main program.
You’ll find that small numeric values for the slide like 4,
5, or 6 will result in an interesting sound that is still
recognizable in terms of western tonality.

A very long slide value such as 30 or more, combined
with longer note durations like 200 or more, will result
in a completely different sounding sequence that cannot
be as easily recognized as the chords being played.

You might try experimenting with things like random-
izing the note duration by knocking out lines 40 and 50
and entering a random INT function for Z in line 530.

A similar possibility could exist for the length of slide
by using a random INT function there also.

Lines 550 through 570 simply plot a few points to pro-
vide some screen activity while the program is running. □

JULY 1981

50 INTERFACE AGE

Lifelines.

The serious publication
for the serious
software user.

May 1981 Voi. 1 1ssue #12

• ■

I A Brief Review of PASM, BUG/uBUG,
PUNK and EDIT*

I Comments on SSSFORTRAN*

I SOUNDEX Made Simple

I BASIC Comparisons: The Con-
clusion of the SBASIC* series

I Zoso Strikes Again— And His Target
Strikes Back

I From the CP/M* Users Group: Vol-
ume 49, Including Some Useful
RATFOR Programs

*PASM, BUG/uBUG, PLINK, and EDIT are trademarks of Phoenix Software
Associates, Ltd.

’SSSFORTRAN is a trademark of SuperSoft Associates.

’SBASIC Is a trademark of Topaz Programming.

*CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research, Inc. The CP/M Users Group is not
affiliated with Digital Research, Inc.

Lifelines is the publication
dedicated to keeping you
up-to-date on happenings
in the explosive micro-
computer world.

Lifelines specializes in news about software for CP/M*
and similar operating systems.

Lifelines does it with a guarantee of high
level, in-depth analysis of software uses and
capabilities.

Lifelines does it with valuable information
necessary to make intelligent software buying
decisions.

Lifelines does it with the latest
information on The CP/M Users Group.

Lifelines does it with thought provoking
discussions on many of the more controversial issues
facing computer users.

How can you live without Lifelines?

Subscribe Now!

$18.00 for twelve issues: U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
$40.00 for twelve issues: all other countries.

$2.50 for each back issue: U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
$3.60 for each back issue: all other countries.

All orders must be pre-paid by check to: LIFELINES,
1651 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10028— Checks
must be in U.S. $, drawn on a U.S. bank. Or use your
VISA or MASTERCARD. Call (212) 722-1700

Hii~ kLilVhlO

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 51

INTERFACE AGE 51

Assignment: Benchmark

FACTORS IN
COMPUTER SELECTION

C-3

Accounts Receivable

Current Price

Time

Vector Graphic System B

5:56.5

$ 8,995

Texas Instruments Model 771

3:38.1

$12,100

North Star Horizon

1:57.7

$ 6,911

Cromemco System Two

2:48.0

$ 9,275

DECstation 78

5:04.8*

$10,495

Pertec PC 2000

6:04.3

$12,470

‘Includes both compile and run time

by Hillel Segal

Over the past six months in this column, we’ve
looked at computer systems by six manufacturers, all
priced under $15,000. Each has been placed in the
hands of independent consultants, who test the
computer for CPU and disk I/O speed, then run three
different application programs. Of these three, we’ve
focused on the Accounts Receivable program for the
comparisons here.

Now we’re at the point where some comparisons can
be made between the systems tested so far in the
Association of Computer Users’ benchmark series. It
would be tempting to look at the scorebox shown
above and declare a price/performance winner right
away. But would that be fair? And, even more important,
would it be useful?

Among the computers tested in the first half of this
1 2-system series, there is a 3-to-1 spread in the elapsed
time needed to run a typical business application
program using both disk drive access and general
computation resources of the computer. Is that such a
big deal? Or is a computer more than just a set of
pieces that can do a job fast?

We would be the first to point out that more is involved
in a successful computer installation than a combination
of storage and number-crunching components. Just as
a human being’s significance is not limited to his or her
performance time in the 100-yard dash, neither is a
computer’s value measured by speed tests alone.
Much, much more is needed to create a working

system, and many fine details of engineering cannot be
measured with a stopwatch. Nevertheless, we feel that
price/performance comparisons add a very valuable
element of objectivity to the evaluation of computers.

To properly determine what the benchmark results
mean, a look at the functions involved in the various
tests is in order. Some check speed for the CPU and
some compare disk I/O access; others are combinations
of these elements. The Accounts Receivable test uses
both the CPU and disk, but involves no printing. In the
benchmark report issues, another variant of the A/R
test prints the report, adding the element of printer
speed to the combination.

Not discussed here, but prominent in the full reports,
is a test of the system’s speed in a complicated
mathematical problem. In this test, called the Scientific/
Engineering problem, the system solves a set of 50
simultaneous equations with 50 variables. It’s mostly a
check of language and logical sophistication. Using no
disk access, it provides a glimpse of the computer’s
suitability for difficult computational tasks that might
be encountered in a laboratory or research center.
These tests are quite different in nature, and systems
that do well in one test do not always perform similarly
in the other.

Using the real-life application tests as a guide, one
can get a rough idea of the relative strength of various
computers in two broad areas: business-related tasks,
where disk access is an important part of the picture,
and mathematical problem-solving tasks that need
greater power in areas such as math functions. The
other tests, which home in on more specific tasks to

52 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

CONDOR® SERIES 20/DBMS

Relational
Database

condor

COMPUTER CORPORATION

CONDOR SERIES 20/DBMS is the

answer to your data processing needs

whether you’re an experienced or first time

computer user.

► Create data base files in minutes using
screen formatting techniques.

► Access vital information using
powerful English-like instructions

► Non-computer professionals can develop
applications for accounting, personnel,
inventory, work in progress, and more.

The Answer to Creating:

• A General Ledger System

• An Inventory Control System

• A Purchase Order System

• A Data Tracking System

• A Personal Record Keeping System

• And many more applications.

in simple English
instructions.

APPEND

DISPLAY

REORG

CHANGE

EMPTY

RESTART

COMBINE

ENTER

SAVE

COMPARE

FORMAT

SELECT

COMPUTE

HELP

SET

COPY

JOIN

SORT

DATE

LIST

STAX

DBMS

LOGDISK

SYS

DEFINE

POST

TABULATE

DELETE

TERM

DESTROY

PROJECT

TITLE

DIC

READ

UPDATE

DIR

RENAME

WRITE

AVAILABLE AT:

U.S. DEALERS

Niagara Falls, NY

Huntsville, AL

Ann Arbor, Ml

Wilmington, DE

San Antonio, TX

Toledo, OH

Philadelphia, PA

Denver, CO

Detroit, Ml

Bloomington, IN

Fort Collins, CO

Chicago, IL

Minneapolis, MN

Provo, UT

Milwaukee, Wl

Iowa City, IA

Seattle, WA

Birmingham, Ml

Quad Cities, IA

Irvine. CA

New York, NY

Birmingham, AL

San Francisco, CA

DISTRIBUTOR OUTLETS FOREIGN DEALERS

Microsource

Canada

England

Lifeboat Associates

Australia

CONDOR*SERIES 20/DBMS is compatible
with many Z-80 microcomputers with at least
48K RAM running under CP/M® operating
systems.

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc.

CONDOR COMPUTER
CORPORATION

CONDOR® SERIES 20/DBMS

□ User’s Manual ($35, plus tax) □ Additional information.
Please Send To:

P.O. Box 8318
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107
(313)769-3988

Dealer inquiries welcome. M-481

Name

Company

City

Phone (

Position

Address

• State Zip

) Computer CRT_

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 20

INTERFACE AGE 53

AVANT-GARDE CREATIONS
HAS SOFTWARE

Over SO disks available in areas of educa-
tion, art/ design, games , business, utilities,
and self-transformation!

WRITE FOR CATALOGS

The Creativity Tool Box Draw, write poetry, music. Includes Action
Sounds, Hi-Res Scrolling, routines, shape tables and shape view program, utilities,
animation demo, and fonts. $44.95

"...Impressive.. .satisfying.. .Interesting.. .fun!" Peelings (The Magazine of Software
Reviews)

" Truly different.. .unique.. .the program Is an enjoyable one.. .cute.. .very Interesting...
new.. .nice.. .a good value! Apple Orchard (Winter)

the exclusion of other areas, can help round out the
picture of hardware capabilities.

But these are not the only vital considerations.
Several other aspects are equally important.

Hardware and accessories play a key role in deter-
mining the basic capabilities of the system. Most
important to consider are the memory capacity,
diskette or hard disk storage capacity, number of
terminals that can be utilized and communications
features. Microcomputers are often limited to a
maximum of 64K bytes of memory; this is enough for

WE HAVE MORE!

Chambers of Xenobia A new adventure game with Hi-Res & sounds

$15.95

5 Great Games! Animal Bingo, Jungle Safari, Space Defense, Sky Watcher.
Air Traffic Controller $29.95 (or $9.95 each)

5 More Great Games! Deep Sea Treasure, Mystery Code, Depth Charge.
The Mine Fields of Normalcy, Turn ‘Em Loose $29.95 (or $9.95 each)

The Complete Mailing Label & Filing System Filing, label-
making, binary sort, dynamic sorting, directory, quick-find, formatted reports, char-
acter code sorts, zip or alphabetical order, two-level sorting and more!

$59.95 (4 disks and 3 manuals)

Sentence Diagramming Educational, grades 6-12 $19.95

Action Sounds & Hi-Res Scrolling Designed to give your pro-
gram the excitement of action & sound $ 15.95

Super Draw & Write Fonts, drawing, and useful utilities $ 1 5.95

Super Shape Draw & Animate The best system yet.it works...
create and/or animate shape tables like a dream... $34.95

Demo Disk 1 Some of our best stuff $9.95

Demo Disk II More of our best $9.95

And Introducing: The Zenith Education Systems

Easy-to-use programs designed to aid in creation, modification, monitoring and
grading lesson material. Demonstration package available for $10.00 ( Includes 2
disks and a booklet) Complete Z.E.S. System $250.00

ALL OF OUR SOFTWARE IS WRITTEN IN APPLESOFT* . 48K. DISK

ocrr. c -a

AVANT-GARDE CREATIONS DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED

P.O. Box 30160 Eugene. OR 97403 VISA/MASTERCARD

(503) 345-3043 (12pm*6pm 7 days a week)

'Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. ■

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 9

3 HEW MODEMS!

ORIG AN8 OFF HOOK

• • •

SENO

REC

CARRIER

Vi M1CRONET mm

MICROMATE ELECTRONICS INC

1 . A Smart One
with auto everything
built in!

• Auto Dial

• Auto Answer

• Auto Mode
(originate/answer)

• “Direct Connect”
for any computer
with an RS232
Interface.

$299.00

c.m A “Direct
Connect” for the
Apple.*

Does not need an
interface card!

• Auto Dial

• Auto Answer

• 25 Keyboard
commands.

• Will also operate
interactively with
your programs!

$289.00

O. An Acoustical
Modem for the Apple *

Does not need an
interface card!

• Costs less to get
on line than any
similar modem.

• 25 Keyboard
commands.

• Will also operate
interactively with
your programs!

$179.00

MICROMATE
ELECTRONICS, INC.

East Coast: 2094 Front Street
East Meadow. New York 11554
(516) 794-1072

West Coast:

1 1 1 6A 8th Street Suite 110
Manhattan Beach, California 90266

All “Direct Connect” modems are FCC certified.
‘Registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 61

Hardware and accessories
play a key role
in determining
system capabilities.

most single-user applications, but tends to become a
limiting factor in multiple-user configurations and may
prevent more complex operations from running. Disk
storage is the key to many mailing list or accounting
programs, and computers with small disks tend to be
unsuitable for the larger accounting packages.

While microcomputers were once thought of as
exclusively single-user systems, many are now available
with multiple ports to handle several tasks at once. But
just looking at the number of ports may be misleading;
memory capacity, disk access time or computational
power may prevent a multi-user system from functioning
effectively in practice.

Communications is an area of increasing importance,
as computers become more widespread and time-sharing
services more available to the occasional user. Most
common of communications links is the asynchronous
RS-232 protocol, and this is offered as an option on
most computers now. But other types of communica-
tions links, such as IBM-type bisynchronous, packet-
switching, and other systems are widely used in certain
environments. Before buying equipment intended to
work in conjunction with other computers, it’s essential
to make sure that the protocols are compatible.

Operating system and language are the heart of
computer software, determining the environment in
which all programs will run. Many manufacturers use
their own unique operating system, which may mean a
lack of compatibility with software designed for other
systems. Others choose a widely-used system such as
CP/M, giving the user a broad range of off-the-shelf
programs to select from. Finally, some firms make
equipment which runs on an operating system designed
to be identical to a competitor’s (such as IBM) with the
idea that all the existing software written for the
competition will work on their system. Each of these
strategies has its place, but the customer should check
for himself just how much software is available for his
chosen computer, rather than accepting the vendor’s
word entirely.

Language choice relates to the function of the
computer, the capabilities of the programming staff.

54 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

dBASE II vs. the Bilge Pumps.

by Hal Pawluk

We all know that bilge pumps suck.

And by now, we've found out— the hard
way— that a lot of software seems to work the
same way.

So I got pretty
excited when I ran
across dBASE II, an
assembly-language rela-
tional Database Man-
agement System for
CP/M. It works! And
even a rank beginner
like myself got it up
and running the first
time I sat down with it.

If you're looking
for software to deal with
your data, too, here are
some tips that will help:

Tip #1: Database Management
vs. File Handling:

Any list or collection of data is, loosely,
a data base, but most of those "data base man-
agement" articles in the buzzbooks are really about
file handling programs for specific applications.

A real Database Management System gives you
data and program independence (no repro-
gramming when data changes), eliminates data
duplication and makes it easy to turn data into
information.

Tip #2: Assembly
Language vs. BASIC:

This one's easy: if you're setting up a
DBMS, you're going to be doing a lot of sorting,
and Basic sorts are s-l-o-w. Run a benchmark on
a Basic system like S*-IV against a relational
DBMS like dBASE II and you'll see what I mean.
(But watch it: I’ve also seen one extremely slow
assembly-language file management system.)

Tip #3: Relational vs. Hierarchal
& Network DBMS.

CODASYL-like hierarchal and network
systems, around since the 1960’s, are being
phased out on the big machines so why get stuck
with an old-fashioned system for your micro? A
relational DBMS like dBASE II eliminates the pre-
defined sets, pointers and complex data structures
of a CODASYL-type DBMS. And you don't need
to be a programmer to use it.

dBASE II vs. everything else.

dBASE II really impressed me.

Written in assembly language (with no
need for a host lan-
guage), it handles up to
65,000 records (up to 32
fields and 1000 bytes
each), stores numeric
data as packed strings
so there are no round-
off errors, has a super-
fast multiple-key sort,
and supports ISAM
based on B* trees.

You can use it
interactively with
English- like commands
(DISPLAY 10 PROD-
UCTS), or program it
(so when you've set up the formats, your secretary
can do the work). Its report generator and user-
definable full screen operations mean that you can
even use your existing forms.

And if all this makes your mouth water, but
you’ve already got all your data on a disk, that's
okay: dBASE II reads your ASCII files and adds
the data to its own database.

Right now, I’m using dBASE II with my
word processor for budgeting, scheduling and
preparing reports for my clients.

Next come job costing, time billing and
accounting.

An Unheard-of Money-Back
Guarantee.

dBASE II is the first software I’ve seen
with a full money-back guarantee.

To check it out, just send $700 (plus tax in
California) to Ashton-Tate, 3600 Wilshire Blvd.,
Suite 1510, Los Angeles, CA 90010. (213) 666-4409.
Test dBASE II doing your jobs on your computer
for 30 days. If, for some strange reason, you don’t
want to keep it, send it back and they'll refund
your money.

No questions asked.

They know you don’t need your bilge
pumped.

AshtonTate

©Ashton-Tate 1980

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 8

INTERFACE AGE 55

“NEW USES FOR THE

HOME
COMPUTER

IN THE

STOCK

MARKET”

A new book— contains a gold mine of ideas!!

Do you have the great stock and commodity trading advantages
given by the home computer to the few who properly us it? This
book gives you a new insight into cycles and seasonal factors as
they affect stock and commodity prices. It gives you solid tools for
measuring and profiting from them Obtain ideas and programming
never before published. The writer has over 20 years experience as a
stock broker and 8 years experience programming computers. Book
is 8V9 inches by 1 1 inches and has 254 pages and 34 programs writ-
ten in TRS-80 BASIC.

The book borrows methods long understood by radio and electronic
engineers but overlooked by most statisticians. Thus, it is able to
present methods, never before published, of stock and commodity
market timing using cycles and seasonal variations.

To order book— send check $19.95 and your name and address

to:

Thomas V. Lenz, Dept. 1
596 W. Karval Ct. Spring Creek,
Elko, Nevada 89801

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 50

★ ★★★★★★★

,„ B od««,„ 8 ~ DYNASTAR™ !!

World’s first “RS-232 COMPUTER ""
with DYNATYPER"' typewriter interface —

only $ 699 - complete system!!

Includes: • DYNATYPER™ typewriter actuator (no modification to
typewriter necessary.)

• DYNASTAR™ RS-232 BASIC language computer with
2K RAM (expandable to 32K RAM/28K EPROM.)

• Cassette interface - std., Centronics and current loop
interface - optional.

★ Convert any dumb terminal into an intelligent storage system for
timesharing with the DYNASTAR™ computer — only$399.00

★ Create your own word processing system with your typewriter —
(DYNASTAR™ and DYNATYPER™) - $699.00

★ APPLE/TRS-80/GPIB dedicated interface and the DYNATYPER™
(our standard product) — $499.00

F.O.B. Rochester, Domestic. VISA and Master Charge accepted.
Call Ken Yanicky at 716-244-7804

incorporated

3000 Winton Road South, Rochester, N.Y. 14623

and the match with other systems already in use or
contemplated. An industry-standard language such as
Basic, Pascal, Cobol, or Fortran is often the wisest
choice, since trained staff is easier to find and more
programs in the language already exist. But in certain
cases, a specialized language or even a single-
manufacturer language may be desirable. The exact
choice should definitely be one which is suitable for the
application: Fortran for scientific use, Cobol for
business, or Assembler for games and high-use
subroutines, for instance.

Applications software is often the determining factor
in a system purchase, and rightly so. As the price of
hardware decreases, the relative importance of soft-
ware increases, since program development costs are
rising along with salaries. Furthermore, computers are
getting into the hands of non-programmers with
increasing frequency, and that means ready-to-go
software is a must. If in-house programming is contem-
plated special attention should be paid to program
development facilities such as the program editor,
debugging aids, and so on.

Support is important

Vendor support is especially critical for first-time
users, but is also necessary for others as well. Beyond
the obvious need for spare parts and hardware main-
tenance are a range of requirements that may include
software help, training for new operators, and docu-
mentation written for the type of user the computer is
likely to have. Companies like IBM have built a reputation
for a high level of support, often referred to as “hand-
holding,” but other firms serving business clients may
have service just as good. On the other hand, technically
expert users may not require a lot of assistance, and
should consider buying from a supplier who does not
provide (and therefore doesn’t charge for) such a high
level of support.

Add-on capacity is a frequently-overlooked area by
many, though forward-thinking types generally are not
surprised. Suffice it to say that a well-planned system
includes a growth path at least a few years into the
future. In this industry, it’s almost impossible to look
much further ahead than that. But a well-chosen
computer is an asset to its users, and often new
applications are found after installation; be prepared to
expand its usage into new areas after the original
needs are satisfied.

While many of the points we’ve made in this article
may be obvious to experienced users, they form a
useful counterpoint to the information provided by the
benchmark reports. □

Hillel Segal is president of the Association of Computer
Users, a non-profit association with members all over
the U.S., Canada and several other foreign countries.

One of the association 's key activities is the publica-
tion of its Benchmark Reports. Each month a new
report is produced covering a computer system.

In addition, ACU publishes seven bimonthly news-
letters for users of small computers, midi computers,
large computers, time-sharing systems, distributed
processing systems, word processing systems and
home and hobbyist computers.

A complete package of information about member-
ship is available at P.O. Box 9003, Boulder, CO 80301.

56 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

REM MERGE SORT USING LINK 0 FOR INDEX
FUNCTION MERGE (I,J~ INTEGER) “INTEGER

VAR T,KM,M - INTEGER '

IF ARRAY (I) <ARRAY (J) THEN
BEGIN

END

T~I
KM ~T

I - LINK a>

WHILE IOO DO
BEGIN

IF ARRAY (1) <ARRAY U) THEN
BEGIN

M— i

I-I
J =M

END

LINK(KM)~I
KM~ 1
I=LINK(I) '

END

LINK(KM)=J

END=T

FUNCTION SORTdS, JS = INTEGER) - INTEGER
VAR KS, II, JJ INTEGER
IF IS=JS THEN
BEGIN

LINK(IS)=0

RETURNED VALUE = IS
GOTO OEND

END

KS = IS+((JS - IS) 2)

II SORTdS, KS)

JJ=SORT(KS+l . JS)

RETURNED VALUE - MERGE(Il.JI)

OEND END RETURNED VALUE

Finally, a language to meet your needs

The new S-BASIC™ language has more computing power
than any other true compiler BASIC in the industry

S-BASIC™ is the ONLY CP/M™ compatible BASIC
providing . . .

• Chainable .COM programs with parameter passing.

• Dynamically allocated arrays, sequential and
random file buffers.

• Dynamically relocatable variables.

• Common, global, and local variables.

• A choice of: While-Do, Repeat-Until, Begin-End, If-
Then-Else, and Case-Of Structures.

• Recursive, Multi -lined functions and procedures.

• Memory image disk storage (no conversions).

• CP/M 2 .xx enhancements usage as well as CP/M™
1.4 x capable.

• 6 data types: Character, string, integer, single and
double precision floating point, and packed BCD.

*CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research.

Besides all of these unique features, S-BASIC™ offers
long variable names, digit/string line labels (when required),
relocatable code output, multiple libraries, external .COM
program execution, all of the flexibility of an enhanced
BASIC, and a multitude of conveniences that make program-
ming a pleasure.

As a software house always looking for that ideal, powerful,
new language . . . we're excited about making S-BASIC™
available to the software community.

MICRO’AP, INC.

7033 Village Parkway CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 58

Dublin, CA 94566
Telephone (415) 626-6697

'S-BASIC is a trademark of Topaz programming.

Hardware Evaluation

High Quality
in Printed i
Output

The Epson
MX-80 Printer

by Roger H. Edelson

For less than $550, the personal computer enthusiast
(and the cost-effective businessman) can obtain an 80
CPS printer which produces copy rivaling that of the
much more expensive types. The Epson MX-80 printer
and its printer mechanism (model 3210) was developed
by Epson’s parent company, the Japanese firm Shinshu
Seki which is also noted for its Seiko watch division.
The company manufactures more printer mechanisms
than any other company in the world— mechanisms that
are used not only in their products, but other com-
panies’ printers, as well and Epson is the worldwide
marketing arm. This printer with its high MCBF (mean
characters between failures), full tractor-type pin feed,
and user replaceable print head can hold its own in the
business environment.

While we will fully cover the mechanical and electrical
features highlighting the design of the remarkable
machine, the real story is the quality of the printed
output. The print is fast, clear (with true lower case
descenders), and provides a software controlled
choice of 12 different weights and sizes. While not
quite good enough to fool the reader into thinking the
letter was actually typed, the multi-stroke, or multi-pass
styles definitely will meet almost all correspondence
requirements. If instead, a character set with an
excellent speed-reliability product is desired, the

standard 1 0-CPI format, formed from the 9 by 9 matrix
will fill the bill admirably.

The MX-80 is housed in an attractive low profile
plastic case measuring 4.2 in. high, 14.7 in. wide, and
12 in. deep. The paper movement knob protrudes
unobtrusively from the right side of the case, and the
very functional paper separator is attached to the
upper rear surface. As the printer implements a full
tractor feed, it possesses a paper movement knob that
allows easy, rapid paper feed, both forward and, to a
limited extent, backwards. Some other printers utilize a
solenoid paper advance mechanism and cannot provide
any reverse paper movement.

The tractor feed is fully adjustable from a minimum of
4 in. to the full 10-in. width. I have conveniently set it
for printing standard paper width. The input/output
separator incorporated into the paper feeding mech-
anism is an inexpensive, yet very effective, design. I
have never had the paper feed jam or entangle itself.

The paper feed mechanism also incorporates an out-
of-paper detector that provides warnings when the
paper supply is nearly exhausted. When the printer
detects an out of paper status, it sounds a raucous
buzzer intermittently for 30 seconds and halts further
interface controlled paper movement. In order to
remove the paper for replacement, the printer will again

+ 5V

To TO of 8041

58 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

EAST COAST

OMEGA Sales Co.

12 Meeting St.
Cumberland, Rl 02864

1 - 800 - 556-7586

1 - 401 - 722-1027

WEST COAST

OMEGA Sales Co.

3533 Old Conejo Rd. #102
Newbury Park, CA 91320

1 - 800 - 235-3581

CA. TOLL FREE 1-800-322-1873

SPECIAL OP THE MONTH /

EPSON MX-80 PRINTER

INTERFACES: IEEE $55. TRS«80 $35.
APPLE INTERFACE + CABLE $90.
RS*232 $70 < Call for Price

ATARI 800
$779

DIABLO (

$2145
Tractor option $245*

ANADEX

$1299

NEC MONITOR
$219

OKIDATA
5 MICROLINE-80
$429

WB WILL NOT BE UN0BRS0L0!

INTERTEC SUPERBRAIN 64K RAM

$2849

NEC 5510 SPINWRITER

$2395

OKIDATA MICROLINE-83

$949

APPLE II PLUS 48K

$1179

APPLE DISK w/ 3.3 DOS Controller

$545

APPLE DISK w/o Controller

$435

BASE II PRINTER

$649

HAZELTINE 1420

$799

NORTHSTAR HORIZON II 32K QD

$2975

ATARI 400 8K

$399

ATARI 400 16K

$499

RADIO SHACK 16K Level II Model 3

$875

RADIO SHACK 64K Model 2

$3449

ANADEX DP-9500

$1249

TELEVIDEO 912C

$669

TELEVIDEO 920C

$729

TELEVIDEO 950

$1049

ATARI 825 PRINTER

$729

ATARI 850 INTERFACE

$169

ATARI 810 DISK

(Call for price list of ATARI Software)

$449

• NO SURCHARGE FOR CREDIT CARDS

• WE ACCEPT C.O.D.’S

• ALL EQUIPMENT FACTORY FRESH W/MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY

• STOCK SHIPMENTS USUALLY SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY

• NO HIDDEN CHARGES - WE LIVE BY OUR PUBLISHED PRICES

S EAST COAST / WEST COAST W

Omega sales company

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 67

INTERFACE AGE 59

HOW TO START A
COMPUTER BUSINESS

“Computer Business Opportunities 1981”
annual report covers the best moneymaking
ventures - consulting, software packages,
dealerships, systems houses, services,
repping, maintenance, vertical markets and
much more - plus 20 steps on how to start, where to be in the
80’s, the small business market, common entrepreneur’s
mistakes, financing, marketing, competing with biggies,
directory of services and self-help sources, going part-time
to full-time. Nowhere under one cover is a better industry
perspective for self-employment planning. Contents from
key back-articles of “Computer Opportunies,” the entre-
preneur’s newsletter since 1978, “Low Capital Computer
Business Guide” (10,000 copies sold), and continuous
research from our field seminars. Over 200 pages ring-
bound, $65.00, check, Visa, Mastercharge, or written com-
pany P.O. 30 day refund guarantee.

DATASEARCH INCORPORATED

4954 William Arnold Road / Dept. H
Memphis, Tennessee 38117
For faster service on credit card orders, phone 901/761-9090

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 24

16 BIT 8086 MICRO SYSTEM

CP/M §6

0 ASIC ■ 8*-

P n $3990

Available Now Basic-86™-$350 CP/M-86™-$250

• IEEE 696 S- 100 • CPU w/ Vectored Interrupts • 24 Parallel 1/0 lines

• Two RS-232 Ports • Baud rates from 50 to 19200 • Independent
baud rate for each serial port • 32K static RAM (Expandable) • ROM
boot for CP/M-86™# Dual 8-inch Shugart floppies with controller

• Attractive desk top enclosure 964K Dynamic RAM opt. - Available Soon

Apple A/D Board
Apple D/A and

Parallel Output Board
S- 100 A/D Timer -
TOD - Counter Board
S-100 D/A Board

16 channel 12 bit

$495

2 channel 1 2 bit

$295

16 channel 12 bit

$695

4 channel 1 2 bit

$395

Call for complete product line information.

IIecI I Ihr .

INC. *

23600 Mercantile Road

TECMAR, INC.
(216) 464-7410

Cleveland, OH. 44122

respond to the line-feed switch after the buzzer has
completed its warning cycle. The printer also incor-
porates an easily initiated self-diagnostic mode that
allows a check of the print head operation and the
printer mechanisms. To perform the selftest operation,
depress the LF (line-feed) switch when turning the
computer power on. This mode is preprogrammed and
will immediately begin printing out all the characters
provided by the internal software.

The mechanical and physical design is excellent. I
would prefer a standard replaceable type instrument
power cord and an externally replaceable fuse. The
company however, feels a replaceable power cord is
just one more item to keep track of, and is actually a
hindrance in the small business/personal computing
environment. The fuse, according to the company,
should never blow unless there is a major printer
malfunction, therefore its replacement should signal a
more serious problem. I’m not sure I swallow this
explanation entirely— though I haven’t tried it.

Speaking of the possibility of impeding the printer
head motion, the design of the head drive function is
rather unique; the actual position of the print head is
monitored by the electronics, and the character printing
cycle is not initiated until the head has reached the
desired position. In actual use, one can apply a signifi-
cant drag force to the print head, and, so long as it’s
movement is not halted entirely, the printed line will still
be correctly spaced. The circuit that accomplishes this
position sensing and feedback is shown in figure 1 . An
LED and phototransistor assembly monitors the position
of the head assembly by using the slots in a disk
connected to the printer head positioning motor. A
resistor-capacitor integrating circuit is used to prevent
the waveform of the output signal from being affected
by noise or mechanical vibrations.

The design of the print head is one of the unit’s major
features and not just for its excellent reliability (a life
expectancy of between 50 and 1 00 million characters).
Once you have printed your 1 0,000 + sheets of print
and experience your first failure, just take the head out
and replace it. The operation requires approximately
five minutes and the new head costs approximately
$30, and once you have completed the exchange, the
printer is off and running again.

Easy printer set-up

Setting up the printer for operating is literally a snap—
the paper separator “snaps” into place in the slots
provided, as does the plastic lid. The ribbon cartridge
also simply "snaps” into place, and with a life
expectancy of over 3 million characters, it will be a
while before you need to replace it. The paper loading is
equally convenient and the manual paper movement
knob facilitates the alignment of initial top-of-form
position (the position in which the first print line lies on
the form, determined by the paper position when
power is first applied to the unit). Should you have to
change this position during a printing operation, it is
necessary to turn the printer power switch off, and
then on again. It would have been more convenient if a
push-button switch had been provided to reinitialize the
printer when it is desired to change this position.

It is possible to initialize the printer by software
control through the activation of the INIT* line available
at the parallel interface connector. A “low” going pulse

60 INTERFACE AGE circle inquiry no. 82

JULY 1981

of a minimum of 50 ^sec. is required to trigger the
initialization cycle. The line should be driven by a TTL
circuit, or its equivalent. Obviously, an enterprising
hardware hacker could quite easily add his own top-of-
form initializing pushbutton.

The function responsible for most of the printer’s
characteristics, including the character set and the
print sizes/styles, is the control circuit board. This is
implemented with an 8049 CPU with associated ROM
and peripheral chips.

The overall printer architecture is based on a dual
microprocessor chip design that allows the company to
implement bidirectional printing with logical seeking of
the shortest lines. To do this, the 8041 MPU in the
model 3210 printer mechanism functions as a slave
microprocessor controlled by the main chip, the 8049.
The 8049, and its associated programming, gives the
MX-80 the capability of providing three additional
printing modes (besides the standard single stroke
character): 1) double— advance paper 1 /206th in. and
repeat line, 2) emphasized— shift right and double
strike, and 3) double emphasized— a combination of
the first two.

ROM set announced

As presently supplied, the 4K ROM program allows
64 block graphic characters to be printed in addition to
the full 96-character ASCII set, with lower case
descenders. In the near future, the company will
announce a retrofit ROM set that will also provide a bit
graphics mode for the printer with picture resolution in
excess of 1 40 by 1 20 dots/inch. This ROM set should
cost between $75-$100. It would be nice if the com-

pany supplied the ROM codes and program so that it
would be possible to make user modifications to the
printer mode control codes. This would allow the
implementation of character format control when using
the printer with some text editors where “escape”
sequences cannot be imbedded in the text.

Printer acceptance

The company has indicated this information is
considered private and they have no intention of
distributing it. All is not lost, however. Because of the
fantastic acceptance of this printer, an MX-80 users
group is forming, which will be supported by the com-
pany. One can hope that soon some enterprising
member will “read” the ROM and disassemble the
code for the group.

The use of a microprocessor for printer control also
provides sophisticated forms handling features including
programmable line feed lengths (from 1 /7 2 in. to 85/72
in.) and a programmable form feed of up to 66 lines.
The system design further allows up to 1 1 2 horizontal
and 64 vertical tab positions.

The standard interface between the printer and the
host computer is based on a Centronics-compatible
parallel port with an internal one-line buffer. However,
optional circuit boards are available that plug into the
main printer circuit board to provide interfacing with
the IEEE-488 Bus, the Apple II, the TRS-80, and an
RS232C/current loop serial port. The model I evaluated
came with the optional RS232C interface board.

The installation was again a snap; the hardest part
was separating the two case halves. This interface
provides for a full handshaking protocol as shown in

Why Do Professionals Prefer

BECAUSE

• Unique software • Technical support • Quick
delivery • Established company • Release 2
CP/M 1 (some packages under UNIX 4 and TRSD8S')

• Quality software • In-house expertise • Fast
response • User orientation • Competitive prices

• Customer service • \fert»iim* 6 media • Onyx
hardware (CP/M and UNIX versions)

BECAUSE

Unique swift routing cybernetics response system
gives you no-nonsense technical answers that save
you time. Call: (714) 848-1922.

Business
Medical
Real Estate
Computer Systems

• NEW RM/COBOL' applications:

• Order Entry/Inventory • Receivables • Payables •
General Ledger • Financial Modeling • Client Account-
ing— and more on the way!

• NEW CBASIC2’ applications:

• REAP (Real Estate Acquisition Package).

Software from Cybernetics?

RM/COBOL— The new standard for microcomputer COBOL!! The only COBOL
for CP/M (also on TRSDOS & UNIX) with alternate keys (multi-key ISAM), CRT
screen handling, interactive debug, and the most useful Level 2 features. Compat-
ible with RSCOBOL 5 — but runs faster.

TRS-80 1 , Model II CP/M— The fastest Mod II CP/M with the most features. Out-
standing teaching documentation for newcomers to CP/M, multiple CRT emula-
tion, down loading package, support for CORVUS 10 Mb hard disk. Many addi-
tional user-oriented features.

Plus existing CBASIC2 packages
APH (Automated Patient History)

Osborne & Assoc —Payroll • Payables/Receivables • General Ledger
NAD* (Name and Address)

PMS (Property Management System)

And system software packages
MAGIC WAND 4 Editing/Word Processing
CBASIC2 Compiler BASIC
QSORT" Soft Merge Package

Distributed in U K by:
Microcomputer Applications Ltd.
11. Riverside Court, Caversham. Reading. England
TEL: (0734) 470425

Inquire for details

Trademarks of Ryan-McFarland Corp . Compiler Systems. Inc . ’Digital Research. J Beii
Telephone Laboratories. Inc.. 'Tandy Corp . ’■Verbatim. Inc . Cybernetics. Inc . "Struc-
tured Systems Group. Inc . ’Small Business Applications. Inc

IS-
IS

8041 Newman Ave . Suite 208
Huntington Beach. CA 92647
(714) 848-1922

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 61

Timing Chart

Signal Description and Pin Assignment of l/F Board Connector

Pin No.

Signal Name

Direction

Description

Protective Ground

Chassis ground.

Transmitted Data (TXD)

Out

The signal is always at “MARK.”

Received Data (RCD)

Received Serial Data.

Data Set Ready (DSR)

This signal be at the positive EIA level for the printer to
receive data.

Signal Ground

Return path for data and control signals.

Data Carrier Detect
(DCD)

This is the same signal as DSR at pin No. 6. DCD and DSR
can be held at “SPACE” internally.

The signal polarity is factory set to “SPACE.”

Reverse Channel
( = 2’nd RTS)

Out

This signal is at the positive EIA level when the printer is
ready to accept data entry, and at the negative EIA level
when the printer is not ready to accept data entry.
Operator can invert the polarity of this signal by the
internal jumper.

Data T erminal Ready
(DTR)

Out

TTY-TXD

Out

Low impedance (“MARK”) between pin Nos. 17 and 24
when the printer is ready to accept data; high impedance
("SPACE”) when the printer is busy.

Operator can invert the polarity of this signal by the
internal jumper.

TTY-TXD Return

TTY-RXD

Input data of serial current loop.

TTY-RXD Return

NOTES: 1. “Direction” is the direction of signal flow as viewed from the Printer.

2. All signals except TTY-TXD and TTY-RXD are based on EIA RS-232C level.

*1 The value of “T” varies according to the input data.

*2 The word structure of the serial data is: 1 Start bit + 7 or 8 Data bits (selectable by operator) + 1 or more Stop bit.

Figure 2. RS232C interface signal/timing description

figure 2. Even with this handshaking, I experienced
some difficulty with the printer-computer interface until
I set the baud rate at 9600. The company had indicated
that this might be the case, and mentioned that an
improved RS232C interface would soon be available
(with 2K of character storage), which would solve this
difficulty. Once I found that the printer would work
reliably at the 9600 baud setting, I experienced no
further problems with the available interface.

One advantage of using the 9600 baud rate is that
the serial Interfaces between my computer and printer
and my computer and terminal are the same. This allows
me to switch my printer to the auxiliary port on my
TeleVideo 920 terminal and quickly print out the infor-
mation presented on the screen.

For those users requiring the ability to handle wider
paper, the MX-100 is identical to the MX-80, except
that it will print on paper up to 15.5 inches in width.
Further expansions of the Epson line will include an FT
model that will provide both tractor and pressure paper
feeds. Unfortunately the paper feed mechanism will
not be compatible with the present version of the
printer. Both the above mentioned models will, however,
cost considerably more than the basic MX-80. Another
model, just announced, is the MX-70 which is a
somewhat stripped-down version. For those requiring a
machine loaded with sufficient features and quality to
use in almost any printing environment, at a very
affordable price— the MX-80 is a genuine bargain. □

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 2

62 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

Computer Mart of Hew Jersey

SMALL COMPUTER

You've heard oil about
them, the new
generation of small
computers. They're compact, easy to use,
inexpensive, and tremendous
worksavers. — Unquestionably the most
exciting technological achievement of the
decode. NOW, you con see them in the
"no pressure” environment of Computer
Mart's showroom. You'll be able to sit
down, ask questions, see; touch; and find
out exactly how to get one of these
machines into your business with a
minimum of trauma. There is a wide variety
of systems available today, each with their
own particular advantages. For example:
The Prodigy One Computer by Prodigy
Systems, Inc.

Prodigy One is the
perfect business system
for the first time
computer owner. This economical system
features its own library of high performance
software that is easy to learn and easy to use.
And when you're ready to grow, Prodigy
grows with you. Modular add-ons insure that
your Prodigy computer stays with you all the
way. You can take comfort in knowing that
Computer Mart is a one stop source for all of
your computing needs (software, supplies,
and consultation). And Computer Mart
maintains the best staffed, small system
seivice department on the East Coast. Small
Business Computers, you've heard about
them, now see them— at Computer Mart.
The small computer showplace.

SHOWPLACE

Computer Mart of New Jersey

The

Microcomputer
People®

501 Route 27
Iselin, NJ 08630
(201) 283-0600

(The Showroom is Open Tuesday - Saturday)

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 18

INTERFACE AGE 63

SUPRBRAIN

QD - ONLY

*2950

Buy Factory Direct and Save! Direct from Intertec to you at the
best prices in the country! Full factory warranty and shipped
in factory-sealed cartons. Includes C/PM® and manual.

SUPERBRAIN 64k Double density . . . . . . ^2650

HARD DISK lOmb I n r«95 $ 3990

NORTHSTAR COMPUTERS

HORIZON II

32k Densi'J. Reg. $3695 $ 2750

HORIZON II #||A|1| .

32k Density. Reg. $3995 2965

HORIZON II

Ci . Double

04K Density. Reg. $4195

HORIZON II
. .. Quad

04K Density. Reg. $4495

s 3125

*3335

TERMINALS

, , . , Intertec

Intertube Reg $ 89 $ . .

5 720

_ . . Intertec

Emulator Reg. $895 . . .

e 720

PRINTERS - DOT MATRIX

MPI88G With graphics . . . Reg $749 $650

MPI 99G $750

COMET C Ifoti with RS232 . . . Reg $995$450

COMET II Parallel Reg S1350$825

EPSON MX80 Parallel. . Reg S645$489
EPSON MX80 RS232 . .Reg S720$549

PRINTERS-word processing

STARWRITER Parallel . Reg $2195$ 1 495
STARWRITER RS 232 . .Reg $ 2395 $ 1650

STARWRITER II 45cps Reg $2795$ 1 795

XYMEC Parallel Reg $2650$1 995

XYMEC RS232 Reg S2875$21 65

DIABLO 630 RO. . . Reg $27io$2050

SOFTWARE

NORTHSTAR

25% OFF!

WORD PROCESSING

Word Star $320

Mail Merge $110

VTS 80. $449

Benchmark $400

Spellguard $225

Word Pro $170

NAD Mail LiSt Structured Systems . .$100

MVF Mailer $100

ACCOUNTING PLUS

by Systems Plus

Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Accounts
Payable, Inventory, General Ledger, Sales
Order Entry, Purchase Order Entry.

Each $ 395
PEACHTREE

A/R, A/P, G/L, P/R, INV. . . . ea. $395
CPA, Property Mgmt. . . ea. $795

TCS SOFTWARE

A/R, A/P, P/R, G/L $100

MVF PROGRAMS

Restaurant Inventory $250

Client Billing $450

DBMS PROGRAMS

Condor I $550

Data Star $275

C Basic Compiler $110

Microsoft Basic $325

'C/PM is frademark of Digital Research "H UmP i I *”* |

To Order Call (206) 453-8159

Mastercharge, VISA add 3%. No C O D s. All prices FOB origin.

PACIFIC COMPUTER BROKERS

11056 Palatine North, Seattle, WA 98133

Articles

Wanted...

INTERFACE AGE Is seeking articles
on the future of computers for the
December issue. What can the
average consumer expect from the
computer revolution Into the 80s and
beyond? How will it affect his life?
Projections, Intelligent guesses, and
expected technological advances
are among topics of interest. Articles
Intended for the December Issue
should be received no later than
August 1 5 for consideration.

Other subjects being sought for
1981 include: business hardware,
software, and unique applications,
computer languages, medical, edu-
cational and home applications, peri-
pherals and Interfacing products,
tutorials and word processors.

The payment rate ranges from $20
to $50 per published page. Pieces
describing company projects or prod-
ucts will carry the company byline,
but no payment is offered. Submittals
should Include an abstract, outline
and stamped return envelope.

Manuscripts should be typed,
double spaced with one-inch
margins. Minimum length is four
pages, unless programs are Included.
Photos should be numbered and have
a brief description attached. Tables,
listings, etc. should be on separate
pages and each should have a cap-
tion. Computer listings should be
printed using a new ribbon to assure
good reproduction. Authors are re-
quested to submit a statement of
their background and expertise.

The publisher assumes no respon-
sibility for artwork, photos or
manuscripts. No acknowledgement
is made unless accompanied with a
stamped return envelope.

Address all inquiries to Editorial
Department, INTERFACE AGE
Magazine, 16704 Marquardt Ave.,
Cerritos, CA 90701. Please do
not phone for information about
submissions.

64 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 17

JULY 1981

WESTLAND

34245 FORD ROAD
WESTLAND, MICHIGAN 48185
(313) 728-0650
- Phone Orders Welcome -

■74 LS' TTL-

74LS00 .

74LS74 .

74LS162 . .

.. 1.15

74LS266 .

. . .59

74LS01 . . .

74LS75 . . . .

74LS163 . . .

. . 1.15

74LS273 . . .

. . 1.75

74LS02 . . .

74LS76 . . . .

74LS164

.. 1.10

74LS275

. . 3.95

74LS03

74LS78 . . .

74LS165 . .

74LS279 .

... .74

74LS04

. .38

74LS83 . . .

74LS166 . .

. . 2.39

74LS283 .

. . 1.34

74LS05

74LS85 . . . .

. . 1 .05

74LS1 70 . . .

. . 1.79

74LS290 . .

. . 1.05

74LS08 . . . .

... .38

74LS86 . . .

... .49

74LS1 74 .

74LS293

. . 1.99

74LS09

74LS90 . . .

74LS1 75 . .

74LS295 .

. . 1 .05

74LS10 .

. .36

74LS91 . . . .

.. 1.19

74LS181 . . .

2.19

74LS298

1.49

74LS1 1 . . .

. . 39

74LS92 . . .

74LS190 . . .

. . 1.10

74LS324 .

. 1.69

74LS12 . . .

. 34

74LS93 . . .

... .75

74LS191 . . .

1.29

74LS326 .

. . 2.79

74LS13 . . .

... .57

74LS95 . . . .

... .88

74LS192 . .

. . 1.19

74LS347 . . .

. . 2.17

74LS14

74LS107 . .

. . .49

74LS193 . .

.. 1.18

74LS352

. . 1.29

74LS15 . . .

. .38

74LS109 . .

.49

74LS194 .

. . 1.14

74LS353 .

.. 1.39

74LS20

74LS112 . . .

... .52

74LS195 .

... .90

74LS365 .

... .99

74LS21

... .37

74LS113 . . .

... .47

74LS196 . . .

... .99

74LS366 .

. . 1.19

74LS22 .

. . .36

74LS114 . . .

. . .45

74LS197 .

.. 1.29

74LS367 . .

. . 1.19

74LS26 . . .

. . .36

74LS122 .

... .74

74LS221 . .

. . 1.35

74LS373 . . .

. . 2.59

74LS27

. . .35

74LS123 ■ •

.99

74LS240 . .

.. 2.79

74LS374 . .

2.49

74LS28

... .39

74LS132 . . .

. . 79

74LS241 .

2.39

74LS375 . . .

. . 83

74LS30

.32

74LS136

. . .69

74LS242 . .

.. 2.39

74LS377 .

.. 1.89

74LS32

74LS138

. .82

74LS243 . .

. . 2.25

74LS378

. 2.10

74LS33 . . .

... .79

74LS139 . . .

. . 99

74LS244 .

2.29

74LS386 . . .

... .65

74LS37 .

. .69

74LS145 . . .

. . 1.39

74LS245 . . .

. . 2.90

74LS390 . .

.. 1.95

74LS38

74LS151 . .

... .77

74LS247 . . .

. . 1.09

74LS393 .

.. 1.90

74LS40

... .43

74LS152 . . .

. . 1.48

74LS248 .

. . 1 .04

74LS395 .

1 99

74LS42 . .

. . . .77

74LS153 .

. 79

74LS249 .

. . 1.37

74LS668 .

. 2 25

74LS47 . .

... .89

74LS154 . . .

2.29

74LS251 . .

. . 1.99

81LS95 . . . .

1.75

74LS48

. .84

74LS155 . . .

. . 1.15

74LS253 . . .

... .97

81 LS96 . . . .

. . 1.75

74LS49

. . 1.15

74LS156

. . 1.19

74LS256 . .

. . 2.59

81 LS97 . . .

. . 1.75

74LS51

... .36

74LS157 . . .

.. .79

74LS257 . . .

. 99

81 LS98

.. 1.75

74LS54 .

... .34

74LS158 . .

. 89

74LS258 . . .

... .95

74LS55 .

... .34

74LS160 . . .

. . 1.05

74LS260 .

... .67

74LS73 . .

... .47

74LS161 . .

. . 1.05

74LS261 . . .

. . 2.45

•7400 Series TTL-

7400

7433

7484

... 1.29

74151

7402

7437

7486

74153 . . . .

7404

7438

7490

74155 . . .

7406

7440

7492

74161 . ...

7408

7445

7493

74163 .

7409

7450

7495

74166 . .

. . 1.25

7411

7451

7496

74170 .

1.65

7413

7453

74104

74178

... 1 .49

7414

7454

74105 . . . .

74179 . . . .

... 1.49

7416

7460

74120 . . . .

. . . 1.79

74180 . . .

7419

7470

74121 . . .

74279 . .

7420

7473

74122 . . . .

74284 .

. . 2.99

7425

7474

74123 .

74366 .

7427

7480

74125 . . . .

74367 . . . .

7430

7482

... 1.10

74132 . . . .

74368 .

7432

7483

74144

... 2.99

74393 . . . .

... 1 .90

Microprocessor and Memory

- 74 s

' TTL —

1771

. 24.50

4116-4 ...

3.60

6800 ...

. . . . 9.95

8224

. . . 3.49

74S00 . .

74S20 . .

74S76 ....

... 1.24

74S138 .

2.69

21L02 . . . .

. . . 1 .90-

2708

7.49

6821 ....

. ... 3.95

8226

2.79

74S02 ...

. . . .59

74S22 ..

74S78 . . . .

. .. 1.39

74S151 . . .

. . 1 .90

2112

.. 2.90

2716.2516 .

. . 9.00

6845 .

. . . 18.49

8228

. . 4.49

74S03 . . .

74S30 . .

74S1 12 . . .

. .. 1.39

74S157 .

... 1.75

2114-3 . . .

. 3.99

2732.2532 .

. 27.50

6850 . .

4.49

8250

14.90

74S04 . .

74S32

74S1 13 . . .

... 1.39

74S158 .

2 47

21 14L . ...

. . . 3.99

Z80A

. 10.00

808 5 A . .

. . . 13.00

8251

. . . 7.45

74S05 .

74S38 .

74S1 14 .

. . 1.29

74S174 . .

. . 2.75

4044 L-2 . .

. . . 5.99

Z80A-PI0 . .

. . 9.49

8212 . .

. . 2.99

8255

. . 6.49

74S09 ....

74S40 . .

74S124 . . .

. . . 3.69

74S195 . .

2.78

4027A-4 .

Z80A-CTC . .

. . 9.59

8214 ....

. ... 3.95

2651

. 18.29

74S10 ....

74S64

74S132 . . .

. . 2.29

74S240 .

. . . 8.95

4116-3 . . .

. 3.74

6502

9.95

8216

2.95

TR1602B

. . . 2.49

74S1 1 . . . .

74S65 .

74S134 . .

. . . 1.79

74S258 . . .

. . . 2.49

74S15 ...

74S74 . . .

. ... 1.29

74S135 .

... 1.79

CMOS-

4000 ...

4022 ....

... 1.29

4047

. 1.75

4082 ....

... .35

4001 ....

4023 . . . .

4048

.79

4098

1.90

4002 . . . .

4024 . . . .

4049

.67

4099

. 2.19

4006

. . . . 1.35

4025 . . . .

4050

. .69

4502

. . 1.57

4007 ....

4026 ....

. . . . 1.94

4051

. 1.05

4503

.90

4008 ....

.... 1.19

4027 . . . .

4052

1.09

4508

. 3.79

4009 . .

4028 .

4053

. 1.09

4511

. . 1.39

4010 . . . .

4029 . .

. . 1.19

4066

. . .79

4512 . . . .

. . 1.49

4011 ....

4030 . . . .

4069

.39

4515

2.99

4012

4032 ....

. . . 1.99

4070

. 1.39

4516

. . 1.29

4013 . . . .

4035 ....

. . . . 1.19

4071

. . .39

4518

1.39

4014

. . . . 1.05

4040

. . . . 1.19

4072

.. .35

4519

1.37

4015 . . .

4041

. . . . 1 .05

4073

.. .35

4520

1.39

4016 . . . .

4042 . .

4075

. . .35

4526

. . 1.97

4017 ....

1 .04

4043

4076

. 1.97

4528

1.49

4018 ....

. . . . 1.15

4044

4077

.. .39

4019 . . . .

4045 . .

.... 1.49

4078

. .49

4021 ....

. . . . 1.37

4046 ....

... 1.79

M iscell

4081

. . .35

MM58167

. . . 10.50

75189 .

. . . 1.49

8T93

. 1 99

8T98

1.95

75150 . . .

... 1.90

82S10 . . .

. . . . 1.90

8T95

. 1 95

AY5-1013A .

. . 5.49

75188 .

1.49

8T28

.... 2 49

8T96

1 95

AY5-2376

. .18.75

MRF901 3.95

We also stock Linear I.C.'s

-Resistors - 1 OHM to 1 Meg OHM-

% Watt Vi Watt

Multiples of 5 04 each

Multiples of 100 1.65 per Hundred

Multiples of 1000 . 12.00 per Thousand

10 Bags of 100 . 15.00

Multiples of 5 05 each

Multiples of 100 1.75 per Hundred

Multiples of 1000 . 15.00 per Thousand

10 Bags of 100 16.00

-PIHER Trim Pots - Linear-

PT10V Top Adj. . . .
PT10H Side Adj. . .
PT15 Thumbwheel

1-9

10-49

50-99

.29

.25

.29

.25

.39

.34

.30

10K Audio Taper Potentiometer with Push-Pull DPDT Switch . . . : 99

WRITE FOR FULL CATALOG

Westland Electronics Stocks a Full Line of Capacitors

Mylar - Ceramic - Tantalum
Polystyrene - Electrolytic (Radial 8- Axial)

Prices subject to change without notice. 4/81.

MEMORY SALE

41 1 6-200nS, 1 6K x 1
8 Chips for

$24.95

WITH COUPON ONLY

WESTLAND
I

34245 FORD ROAD
WESTLAND, MICHIGAN 48185
(313) 728-0650

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 131

INTERFACE AGE 65

THE FUTURE
OF DATA

COMMUNICATIONS

by Bernard Conrad Cole

During the next few years,
millions of computer terminals
will dot the distributed
processing environment, all
tying into tens of thousands of
interconnected computers in
hundreds of different commer-
cial, industrial, governmental
and educational networks.

The needed links between
widely dispersed equipment
and data bases will be provided
at first by programmable
multifunction and multi-
protocol information resource
management terminals. They
will be successors to today’s
mainframe-dependent and
protocol specific “dumb” and
“smart” terminals, as well as
the more recently developed
personal computers.

Unlike these earlier
generation units, new multi-
protocol terminals can, under
user control, “talk” in any one
of a number of communications
protocols. Eventually, with the
introduction of high perfor-
mance 16 bit microprocessors,
high density RAMs, and new
specialized peripheral ICs to
the design of such terminals,

they will be succeeded by sophisticated information
stations. The means of communication will be com-
pletely transparent to the user: The system will
automatically recognize what is coming over the
transmission line, catalog the protocol and switch into
that mode.

How far away are such stations? To determine that,
it is necessary to review the requirements of the various
data processing environments within which terminals
must operate.

The present distributed processing environment is
confusing, not only in the variety of network control
architectures, but in transmission systems and tech-
nologies, data communication software, processor

Physical interfaces are
about the only level
at which there is some
universal agreement.

configurations, network architectures, processor con-
figurations and hardware requirements.

The confusion is most obvious when one looks at the
network control architectural options that are available
to the user— whether he wants them or not— in which
there are a variety of choices that must be made at
various protocol levels.

Physical interfaces are about the only level at which
there is some universal agreement. Most manufacturers
agreed on the RS232C for modulator/demodulator
(modem) interconnections between data terminal
equipment and data communications equipment. But,
even here, there are some variations.

The RS232C also defines electrical interface require-
ments, but there are a number of new options available
also, including RS422 and RS423, to name a few.
Outside the U.S. are the CCITT telecom standards.

In most terminals, such modem interconnections are
handled automatically via software or firmware (for
example, D.C. Hayes and Micromodem).

Data link protocols are at the next level, including
asynchronous protocols such as Teletype and IBM
2740; synchronous character oriented protocols; binary
synchronous character oriented protocols; synchronous
bit-oriented protocols such as SDLC, ADCCP, HDLC,
X.25, BDLC, BOLD and CDCCP; and synchronous/
asynchronous byte-oriented protocols such as DDCMP,
NSP and DAP.

Within each single protocol are a number of sub-
protocols, corresponding to the levels or layers in
various network architectures.

The variety of transmission systems and technologies
is almost as confusing as the number of protocols. The
most common transmission systems, but by no means
the only ones, are common carrier microwave networks,
value added common carriers and satellite networks.
And each uses a variety of transmission technologies,
including: voice-grade telephone lines, private lines,
terrestrial microwave radio, satellite technology, milli-
metric waveguides and optical fibers.

68 INTERFACE AGE

There are also a variety of network structure types
the data communications user must contend with,
including the hierarchical, star, ring and multistar or
starred ring approaches.

In terms of software, there are at least two levels
users must contend with: the operating system and the
communications based access software.

Networking Information
Stations total protocol flexibility
coupled with local power and
storage extend the advantages
of networking even further with
plug-in, fully compatible
local/remote capabilities.

There are as many operating systems as there are
CPUs, varying in scope from large scale systems for
general purpose mainframe computers to specialized
systems for minicomputers.

Associated with each operating system are a variety
of communications based access software modules.
For IBM mainframes alone, there are at least three:

JULY 1981

BTAM, the basic telecomm access method; TCAM, the
standard telecomm access method, and VTAM, the
virtual telecomm access method. This proliferation of
protocols and interfacing requirements is continuing,
with new procedures introduced with each new CPU.
This is hardly an environment conducive to distributed
data base use.

The way we use computers and the way computers
communicate with one another is undergoing a revolu-
tion of unprecedented proportions. We are just seeing
the beginning of this revolution as the decade opens.

Playing a pivotal role in this transformation will be
sophisticated multi-function, multiprotocol information
stations, successors to today’s intelligent pro-
grammable terminals and beneficiaries of the many
advances in very large scale integration and micro-
computer design.

Using such desk-sized, and eventually desktop,
information stations— equivalent in power to many of
yesterday’s mainframes and today’s minicomputers—
the present top-down mainframe and hierarchically
oriented distributed processing environment will be
replaced. In its place will be dispersed processing net-
works, bottom-up structures in which the processing
capability is dispersed among many nodes, equally
accessible to all. In many respects, this dispersed
processing environment will resemble the standard
voice telephone or the electric power utility.

Today, with the telephone, a user has only to dial a
code, and he is put in virtually instantaneous communi-
cation with any other human being on the planet, via a
series of inter-related national telephone networks.
Unlike present hierarchical structures, the means by
which the communication is established is not the
telephone user’s concern. In other words, in the present
dispersed telephone communiations environment, the
interactions between various destinations are trans-
parent to the user.

Or to use the electric utility analogy, any user today
can instantly obtain the electric power he needs
without worrying about where it comes from.

In such a dispersed processing environment, users
will connect themselves to one another directly; files
will tend to accumulate in one place or another when
reason or profit dictate it. With the numerous protocols
and procedures that typify the present mainframe-
dominated distributed processing environment removed
as stumbling blocks, the centralized uniprocessor
approach to computing will be replaced by a multipro-
cessing scheme in which the various information station
nodes act in concert to solve the problems at hand.

Social factor*

Although such a dispersed processing environment
works against the economic interests of the mainframe
manufacturers who control the present hierarchically
oriented distributed processing structures, there are
social and technological factors that are a match for
the force of their institutional momentum.

On the social side, there are an increasing number of
small users who: 1 ) want greater access to the informa-
tion contained in the numerous separate data bases
that already exist; 2) want greater computing power at
lower cost; and 3) want software that is non-invasive,
which makes relations between them and the network
more friendly.

JULY 1981

Fortunately, on the technological side, there are
forces at work that oppose the top-down structure of
the present distributed processing architecture and
favor the development of the bottom-up dispersed
processing environment of the future.

Initially the solutions are only partial ones— systems
incorporating some elements of the dispersed pro-
cessing solution. These user programmable terminals
are available now from a variety of firms, including
Applied Digital Data Systems, Codex, Datapoint, Digi-
Log, Four Phase, Incoterm, Sycor, Ontel, Ramtek,
Raytheon and Zentec.

These systems, however, have two drawbacks: one
relates to the way they are marketed and the other

The present top-down
mainframe and
hierarchically oriented
environment will
be replaced.

technological. In terms of marketing, few, if any, are
aimed at the standalone market. Most are aimed at
emulating the terminals used in various mainframe-
oriented hierarchical networks. Even those with cluster
capability are still tied in one way or another to a
specific CPU or network. And as far as technology
goes, while each have some elements of multiprotocol
solution, few incorporate all of the same elements.

A more complete solution would be to combine all
the elements into a single multifunction, multi-protocol
information resource management terminal, such as
the ECS Microsystems’ 4500 series.

Unlike the limited data processing function terminals
just discussed, advance terminal designs, such as the
4500, can support all major mainframe protocols and
can be used in a variety of configurations, including:
standalone data processing; distributed processing
(functional and hierarchical); network operation (ring,
star and string); and point-to-point communications.

Many of these same approaches are working their
way into design of future personal computer systems
based on the new 16 bit microprocessors. Indeed, as
component technology grows more sophisticated, the
distinction between a terminal and/or information station
and what is now referred to as personal computers will
soon disappear.

Many of the limits on the ability of present multi-
protocol information terminals can be overcome with
the use of a processor of sufficient power.

Present terminal and personal computer configura-
tions based on 8 bit CPUs such as the Z80, 8080,
8085, 6502 and 6800 require extensive upgrading to
match needed specifications. However, recent develop-
ments in 1 6 bit microprocessor design are approaching
the basic functional features assumed here.

In the dispersed processing environment, there is
also the problem of memory. Because local memory is
usually connected to the specific terminal CPU via a
dedicated bus link, contention usually occurs in relation

INTERFACE AGE 69

to the global memory. It is apparent that as the number
of global memory accesses (terminals) increases, con-
tention increases and throughput decreases.

As memory prices drop and new high density devices
(such as 64K and 256K bit NMOS dynamic RAMs and
256K, 51 2K, 1M and 4M bit bubble memories) come
into production, replication of global memory programs
can be replicated throughout local memories, rather
than single copies in global memory, thus eliminating a
major source of contention.

Present devices and tomorrow’s information stations
will require more than just powerful CPUs and denser
memory to meet the required specifications. A key
deficiency is in the lack of protocol transparency; that
is, operator intervention Is required to select protocols.

Until recently, few computer systems, let alone ter-
minals, have had this feature. The exception to this is in
some large front end communications processors where
multiple protocols are supported, such as Univac’s
distributed communications processor. These large
units are the start of automatic protocol recognition.
They, however, are limited to specified port allocations
and function as large switchboards to the host.

This, however, is a different activity from the one a
terminal performs. The terminal must recognize a
number of protocols sent to It from a number of different
hosts. Along these same lines, in sending data to a host,
the terminal must recognize or know the hosts’ protocol.
The protocol can be deciphered in the handshake
routines providing that the host responds in a non-
ambiguous manner or does not disconnect before the
analysis has completed its task. The technique for this
function is similar to decoding in the intelligence com-

70 INTERFACE AGE

munity. This is essentially a pattern matching procedure
and can be adapted to terminal designs by building on
top of the existing operating system software, or,
building a completely new system with portions of the
multiprotocol capability made available in hardware.

Implementing protocol transparency into a terminal
using software techniques is fraught with difficulties.
Although they are sufficiently similar in format to allow
much commonality in software, they are not inter-
changeable. Control and response code differences
exist, for one thing. Also, the different bit oriented
protocols may not share the same classes of
procedures. These classes establish procedural
differences for different applications. Each class
implements a subset of the elements of procedure. All
classes use the standard frame structure, however.
Nonetheless, ANSI has defined six classes covering
normal, asynchronous, and primary-to-primary nodes. ISO
has five classes covering the same basic applications.

The other problem with the software approach relates
to the fact that protocol layer implementation is very
performance-sensitive. If, for example, lower level
protocols are implemented in a way resulting in
excessive operating system overhead, total system
performance will degrade. However, if lower level func-
tions, such as data link and end-to-end data transfer
control, are removed from the various protocol layers
and imbedded in the operating system in order to
improve total system performance, the clarity and
flexibility associated with the strict hierarchical layering
will be lost.

Fortunately, significant activity has taken place in
terms of Incorporating data link control protocols into
hardware, either into separate microprocessors, or
into data link control ICs. As a result, the next genera-
tion successors to today’s programmable information
resource management terminals will see much of the
software supported data link control function taken
over by hardware.

Most are programmable and can thus support more
than one data link protocol. Also, some of these chips can
support data rates up to 2 million bits per second and
several protocols such as Bisync and DDCMP. In addi-
tion, features such as modem control for point-to-point
communications, loop back for self test, secondary
address comparison and global address recognition
have been incorporated into several of these chips.

Other protocols needed

As discussed earlier, data link protocols satisfy only
one level of the problem. They are not a network
protocol, nor do they control the flow of information
between users in a multinodal network.

Mechanisms to unravel these additional layers
are in development. The ultimate solution will be
neither totally software nor hardware dependent, but
some combination.

Incorporated into the multifunction, multiprotocol
information stations of the near future, these solutions
will result in all data handling capabilities concentrated
into one local unit, providing both local transaction
capability and access to all system functions. As a
result, an entirely new type of distributed processing
network environment will evolve— -a network optimized
for information base management functions based on
multifunction, multiprotocol information stations. □

JULY 1981

The Horizon system.

Now your small business can control costs by controlling

your communications system.

If your business is looking for ways to control costs,
here’s something you should know about.

The Horizon" communications system from Bell.

It’s a system you can easily program to meet the
specific needs of your company— and each person in your
company.

For example, you can control costs by controlling who
can originate toll calls— and who can’t.

You can make sure your YtATS lines are used by mak-
ing them easier to use. Busy executives can have instant access
to them at the touch of a button. If all YCATS lines are busy, the
system will let you know when a line is available.

And as your company’s needs change, you can re-program the system yourself.
Instantly. Saving more time and money.

Best of all, the Horizon system fits a business with as few as five lines and 11
telephones.

Call your Bell Business Service Center today. And put in a communications
system that puts you in control.

The Horizon system by Western Electric: Information Management from
the Bell System.

The knowledge business

“At last. Master of
my own phone system!”

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 71

QUICK

by Chuck Atkinson

Computers are being used to replace manual inven-
tory control systems and the benefits are becoming
well known. The sales information and invoices for
shipments received are keyed in at the end of each
sales period and the computer takes it from there. The
sales tickets are still handwritten, however, resulting in
the same information being manually processed twice
for each sale.

New systems in some large grocery stores use a
laser pen to read the code on each item. It is amazing
to watch as the price and description are recalled
almost instantly and added to the list of purchases.
While this is obvious to the customer, the computer,
somewhere out of sight, is also adjusting the inventory
simultaneously. If a system like this was inexpensive,
every retailer would have one, but it is out of the price
range for most small businesses.

The following program will print the sales ticket and
post the sales to the inventory at the same instant. It will
run on a low cost microcomputer in CBasic and CP/M.

You enter the quantity and part number for the items
as they are sold. The computer will then: find the item
in the inventory; retrieve the current price; multiply the
quantity sold by the price; total all items sold on the
ticket; calculate the sales tax; add the sales tax to the
total; show the grand total; print the sales ticket; reduce

the quantity on hand by the number sold; increase the
sales totals and prepare a daily sales summary.

This cuts the manual effort in half and gives you and
the customer a printed copy of the sales ticket that
contains a lot more information.

Start the program by entering CRUN QUICK1. The
display will ask you if you want to erase the daily sales
file (figure 1 ). Erase it at the beginning of the day, so a
sales report can be run at the end of the day containing
only the activity for the day.

Next, enter the date. This will be printed at the top of
all sales tickets and reports.

The table of operations will then appear (figure 2).
Select S to sell items, R to review the sales and END to
conclude the program. That’s all there is to it. A sample
sales receipt is shown in figure 3.

Follow the step-by-step entering of the quantity and
part number for each item sold (figure 4), in response
to the questions on the display. (The questions are
displayed only, during normal operation. They are
printed here to aid the explanation.) Entering 0 signals
the computer that there are no more items on this sale.
The information you entered will be displayed and you
can make changes until you enter N for no more
changes. The option will now be given to you for a
printed copy or display only (figure 5).

CRUN QUICK!

CRUN VF.R 1.03

ERASE

THE DAILY FILE

THE

START OF

EACH

DAY .

DO YOU

WANT TO ERASE

THE

DA 1

ILY SALES

F 1 LE

? Y = YES, N

NO. Y

TODAY'S DATE? 12-11-1980

Figure 1 . Starting the QUICK1 program

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 73

QUICK REGISTER 12-11-1980
S = SALES RECEIPT
R = REVIEW TODAYS SALES
END = END OF RUN

SELECT ACTION FROM TABLE ABOVE S

Figure 2. Table of operations

The completed sales receipt has the sales ticket
number from the file TICKET#, the name and address
from the file VENDOR, the quantity, part number,
description and price for each item. The extended total
for each line is printed in the far right hand column. This
column is totalled at the bottom and sales tax is added
to produce the grand total for the sale. The remarks
from the VENDOR file are printed at the bottom.

The TICKET# file keeps track of the tickets
and the value in the file is increased by one after each
grand total.

The name and address, remarks and tax rate come
from the VENDOR file. This information can be easily
changed with your editor if it becomes necessary. The
program remains the same.

Select R from the table of operations to review the
sales for the day (figure 6). The complete information
for each part sold is printed, along with the grand total
and the sales tax. This should correspond to the
increase in the cash in the register for the day. Select
END to exit the program. Warnings will be displayed

about back up files and removing disks from the drives
before turning off the power.

The files PART, INDEX, TICKET # and VENDOR are
shown in figure 7. They are constructed as follows:

Record

File Length Variables

PART 80

INDEX 18
TICKET# 15
VENDOR 150

P$, L$, D$, V$, N, R, OH, MN,
MX, 00, S, YT
P, K
SI

NAM$, SR$, CTY$, ST$, Z$,
PH$, RMK$, TAX

The variable explanations are listed below:

Variable Definition

P$ Part number

L$ Location

D$ Description

V$ Vendor code

SALES INVOICE # 10 12-11-1980

SAILING CENTER

LAKEVIEW DRIVE BENBROOK, TEXAS 76126
(888) 222-1234

1 TEM #

QUANT 1 TY

PART NUMBER

DE SCR 1 PTION

PRICE

TOTAL

1 01 0000

GUDGEON

3 . 5

1053050

T 1 LLER X HNG

5 . 5

1009200

DRAIN PLUG GASK

1.05

3.15

1050300

BALL 1 7/8

6. 5

1 3

1026000

CLEAT JAM

1.65

1 047050

CAM

3 .98

19.9

1 046050

RUDDER LOCK Kl T

2.75

TOTAL

TAX

TOTAL

5 . 5

$55.70

$2.79

$58.49

SAILBOATS AND SUPPLIES

Figure 3. Sample sales invoice (receipt)

Continued on page 146

74 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

Now proven baZic can be run on any Z80® computer
under CP/M® baZic is written entirely in Z80 code —
runs faster than any other BASIC interpreter. The
greater execution speed is significantly advantageous
for heavy number crunching, multi-user and multi-
tasking operations.

baZic has all the features of North Star® BASIC — and
then some. baZic, with minor exceptions, is 100% com-
patible with existing North Star BASIC programs. Our
new baZic runs under all Micro Mike's timesharing
and hard disk operating software.

CHECK THESE FEATURES AT YOUR
COMPUTER DEALER:

■ Takes full advantage of the Z80 instruction set.

■ Can be used on any Z80-based microcomputer
operating under North Star® DOS or CP/M.

■ Support North Star floating point board for even
faster execution of compute-intensive programs.

■ The most friendly BASIC available.

Hard fact:

■ Improves performance of multi-user hard disk

systems.

■ baZic adds functions to assist in screen formatting,
as well as features to simplify programming, e.g.
APPEND as a statement, ON GOSUB, cursor-
addressable PRINT, enhanced editing features, etc.

■ baZic as shipped includes 8, 10, 12, and 14 digit
precisions, including both software and hardware
floating point versions.

■ baZic is also available for the Apple II® under CP/M
with the SoftCard. rM

OEMs and dealers contact Silverman Associates for
details. 4010 Opal Street, Oakland, CA 94609.

(415) 428-2954. All other inquiries should be to your
dealer or Micro Mike's.

®North Star Computers
®Digital Research, Inc.
® Apple Computers, Inc
®ZiIog, Inc.

^Microsoft

Micro Mike's, Inc.

3015 Plains Blvd., Amarillo, Texas 79102

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 105

$150 makes your Z80-based
computer run up to 40% faster!

The Video
Display

Revolution

by Larry C. Raymond

The need for low-cost, alpha-
numeric video display terminals
has never been greater. With
the use of computers increasing
at a staggering rate, the demand
for devices that allow man to
communicate with his computer
is tremendous.

There are many ways that
such communication can be
accomplished. At one point the
front panel, an array of paddle
switches and indicator lights,
was the primary device. Later,
the electro-mechanical printing
terminal became common.

Today there is a new standard.
With the advent of medium and
large scale integrated circuit
technologies (specifically the
microprocessor chip), versatile
and powerful video display ter-
minals became available. These
provided the computer operator
with an alternative to the print-
ing terminal, featuring improved
reliability, a reduction in noise
levels and a competitive price.

Today, the video display ter-
minal is available in numerous
styles, designed to fulfill a
broad range of needs. Virtually
all of them consist of four basic
function modules: the monitor,
for the display of characters;
the keyboard, for the entry of

Table 1. Display terminal specifications

Manufacturer

Model

Number

Suggested

Retail

Price

Size

(Dimension

and

Weight)

Screen

(Size

and

Type)

Characters
Displayed
(Total and
Columns
by Rows)

Character

Set

(Number of
Displayable
Characters)

ADDS

Applied Digital Data Systems, Inc.
100 Marcus Blvd.

Liauppauge, NY 11787

Regent 20

$ 995

15"x14"x13.5"
33 lbs.

12" diag.

1920

80x24

128

Regent 25

$1,095

18.5" x 1 5" x 23"
38 lbs.

12" diag.

1920

80x24

128

Ampex Corporation
401 Broadway
Redwood City, CA 94063

Dialogue 80

$1,149

33 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white

1920

80x24

Amtek Business Machines, Inc.
2266 H Martin Ave.

Santa Clara, CA 96060

ABM 80

n/a

1 3.6" xl 4.8" x 22.5"
32 lbs.

12" diag.
P31 green

1920

80x24

128

Beehive International
4910 Amelia Earhart Dr.
Box 26668

Salt Lake City, UT 84125

DM10

n/a

18" x 13" x 22.5"
43 lbs.

12" diag.

1920

80x24

128

DM1 A

$1,395

18" x 13" x 22.5"
43 lbs.

12" diag.

1920

80x24

128

COPS

Computer Peripheral Corporation
1 225 Connecticut Ave.
Bridgeport, CT 06607

COPS 10

n/a

1 6.6 "x 20.6 "x 13.6"
48 lbs.

12" diag.
non-glare

1920

80x24

n/a

Datamedia Corporation
7401 Central Highway
Pennsauken, NJ 08110

Elite 1521

$1,295—

$1,695

1 8 " x 1 5 " x 23 "
39 lbs.

n/a

1920

80x24

128

GDS, Inc.

Garyco Data Systems, Inc.
1911 22nd Ave. So.
Seattle, WA 98144

132/C

Displaymaster

$1,795—

$2,220

15.5" x 19" x 23"
42 lbs.

1 3 " x 7 "
P31 green

3960*

132x30*

n/a

GTC

General Terminal Corporation
14831 Franklin Ave.

Tustin, CA 92680

GT-101

$1,095

14" x 1 7.5" x 22.5"
45 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white

1920

80x24

128

GT-110

$1,249

14" x 1 7.5" x 22.5"
45 lbs.

12"

P4 white

1920

80x24

128

Hazeltine Corporation
Greenlawn, NY 11740

1410

$ 900

1 5.5 " x 1 3.5 " x 20.5 "
26 lbs.

6 " x 9 "

1920

80x24

128

1420

$ 995

15.5"x 1 3.5 "x 20.5"
26 lbs.

6 " x 9 "

1920

80x24

128

1 500 Series

$1,225—
$1 ,650

1 5.5" x 13.5" x 20.5"
35 lbs.

6 " x 9 "

1920

80x24

128

HDS

Human Designed Systems, Inc.
3700 Market St.

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Concept 100

$1,575—

$1,855

17.5"x3"x8.75"
(keyboard)
15"x 16"x 16.5"
(monitor)

12" diag.
P4 white

1920

80x24

128

Heath Company
Benton Harbor, Ml 49022

WH-19

$675 (Kit)
$ 995

13"x17"x20"
49 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white

1920

80x24

n/a

Hewlett-Packard
19400 Homestead Rd.
Cupertino, CA 95014

2621 A

$1,495

35.5 lbs.

6" x 8.5"
P4 white

1920

80x24

n/a

Informer, Inc.

8332 Osage Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90045

D301

$1,595

24.5" x 21.5 "x 6"
10 lbs.

n/a

512

32x16

96 opt.

IDS

Intertec Data Systems Corporation
2300 Broad River Rd.

Columbia, SC 29210

Intertube

$ 995

14.6" x 21 .4" x 23"
34 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white

1920

80x24

n/a

LSI

Lear Siegler, Inc.

714 N. Brookhurst St.
Anaheim, CA 92803

ADM-3A

$ 895

15.5"x 13.5"x 19"
25 lbs.

12" diag.

1920

80x24

ADM-5

$ 995

n/a

12" diag.

1920

80x24

n/a

78 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

For the past few months you have patiently endured the
indignity of watching your friends show off their flashy
visible number cruncher on their game-playing computer
and longed for something as slick.

• Write the results of data and calculation rules to the disk
as formatted files for word processing.

• Use full conditionals (IF . . . THEN . . . ELSE) in your set
of rules and stack conditionals within conditionals.

You seriously considered buying their computer, but you
just couldn't give up the benefits of the CP/M operating
system.

• Build powerful models with commands such as GROW,
MIN, MAX, AVE, CUM, GREATER, LESSER, SUM.

• Edit lines with ease.

Well, say hello to TARGET™, the best business planning
system available on micros today (and some big
computers besides).

Talk about a blank ledger sheet or columnar tabulator!
TARGET™ is much more than that. Sure, just like their
product, you can fill in the rows and columns as you see fit
and the numbers will whiz by you on the screen. But, we
let you create your report in English, not in some combina-
tion of reverse Polish notation and algebraic matrix
languages.

Our TARGET on Your System. . .

LINE 1 SALES = 100 200 300 400
LINE 2 EXP = GROW 50 BY 15%

LINE 3 NET = SALES - EXP

Their Product on Their System . . .

SALES 100 200 300 400

EXP 50 -I- B2*1.15 + C2*1 +D2*1.15

NET +B1-B2 +C1-C2 +D1-D2 +E1-E2

At least, that is what their product might look like if you
could see all of your data and calculation rules at the same
time, which you can't. If you think that it is an easy
approach for debugging, guess again.

TARGET™ displays a full screen of results or data and
calculation rules at your command. And, it runs on your
system. How much more could you ask?

Lots! And TARGET™ delivers. We give you the ability to:

• Obtain hard copy printouts of both the results and your
set of data and calculation rules used to create those
results.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 89

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research.

SoftCard is a trademark of Microsoft.

TRS-80 is a trademark of Tandy Corporation.

• Enter rules and data in any order you wish.
TARGET™ will automatically sort rows in ascending
order and process your model correctly even if LINE
33 SALARIES needs to be calculated before LINE 3
EXPENSES.

There is so much more about the TARGET™ Planner that
will impress you. Our manual explains not just what a
command or function is, but how to use the functions in
everyday business situations. Our manual and our news-
letter give you illustrative examples of business planning
problems and how TARGET™ can help you solve those
problems. For example, we will show you how to quickly
determine the payback period for a proposed project.

TARGET™ is a compiled system running under CP/M.
There is no need to buy BASIC or FORTRAN or any other
system software. And the price is only $195 for the
TARGET™ Planner, our basic system.

Stand up and be proud, CP/M users. The best business
planning system runs on the best operating system on
your computer.

Advanced Management Strategies, Inc.

1935 Cliff Valley Way, N.E., Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
404/634-9535

P.S. When all of your friends start
drooling over your product,
tell them to cheer up,

Microsoft's great Sofl
and 16-K memory boa
your friend's Apple ca
move up to your oper-
ating system and run

Target™.

Qantex Impact Printers
1 50 Characters Per Second
136 Columns Per Line

The microprocessor controlled Series 6000
is packed with standard features. True
lower case descenders and underlining.
Bidirectional logic seeking. Built-in test
capability. Rugged 400 million character
print head. Beautiful 96 character set in a
9x9 matrix. Parallel, or up to 19,200 baud
serial interfaces supporting RS-232, X-ON,

X-OFF or Current Loop. Full operator con-
trols. Quietized, sleek enclosure to en-
hance your system. Delivery from stock.

Qantex Division of

North Atlantic Industries

60 Plant Avenue, Hauppauge, N.Y. 11787
(516) 582-6060 TWX 510-227-9660

(800) 645-5292

For more information

call your local distributor:

ARIZONA ARKANSAS

PGI Wholesale Hemco Electronics

1 -800-528-141 5 50 1 -663-0375

CALIFORNIA

Basic Systems
213-673-4300
714-268-8000
408-727-1800

MINNESOTA

Vikeland Sales
61 2-645-4647

AUSTRALIA

Mitsui

Computer

Systems

02-9299921

ILLINOIS

Engineered Sales
312-832-8425

INDIANA

Audio Specialists
219-234-5001

LOUISIANA

Micro Computer
Of New Orleans
504-885-5883

MARYLAND

Source Associates
301-431-0587

MISSOURI

Computer Dataco
816-254-3600

MISSOURI

ESC Sales & Leasing
314-997-1515

BELGIUM

Compudata

Belgium

7205066

CANADA DENMARK

Computer TMS Dataudstyr

Markets 45-2-911122

416-445-1978

NEW YORK NEW YORK

Washington
Electric Co., Inc.
212-226-2121

Daily Business
Products, Inc.
800-645-5556
516-543-6100

FAR EAST

Hong Kong
Equipment
5-453870

FRANCE GERMANY

Gepsi Technitron

1-554-9742 49(89)692-4141

Distributor inquiries welcome!

MINNESOTA

Integrated Peripher
612-831-0349

TEXAS

Data Trend, Inc.
512-496-1111

NETHERLAND

Compudata
Benelux B.V.
73-215700

80 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 70

JULY 1981

Table 1. Display terminal specifications (continued)

Manufacturer

Model

Number

Suggested

Retail

Price

Size

(Dimension

and

Weight)

Screen

(Size

and

Type)

Characters
Displayed
(Total and
Columns
by Rows)

Character

Set

(Number of
Displayable
Characters)

MAS

Micro Application Systems
5575 N. Cty. Rd. 18
Minneapolis, MN 55442

MINI MAS 1

$ 777

1 4 " x 1 2 " x 1 8 "
22 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white

1920

80x24

128

MINI MAS 2

$ 888

14"x12"x18"
22 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white

1920*
80* x24

128

Micro-Term, Inc.

1314 Hanley Industrial Court
St. Louis, MO 63144

ACT5-A

$ 945

1 7 " x 23 " x 1 5 "
37 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white
nonglare

1920*

80x24*

128

Perkin-Elmer
Main Ave.

Norwalk, CT 06856

550

$ 966

14"x15"x19"
30 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white

1920

80x24

128

Soroc Technology, Inc.
165 Freedom Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92801

IQ 120

$ 995

25.5 "x 18"x21 "
45 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white
nonglare

1920

80x24

IQ 135

n/a

18"x13"x20.5"
45 lbs.

12" diag.
nonglare

1920

80x24

128

IQ 140

$1,495

20" x 13.5" x 23.5"
50 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white
nonglare

1920

80x24

Teleray

Division of Research Inc.
Box 24064

Minneapolis, MN 55424

$1,190—

$1,285

28.5—36 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white
nonglare

1920*

80x24*

$1,690

28.5—35.5 lbs.

12" diag.
P4 white
nonglare

1920*

80x24*

128

Televideo, Inc.

2149 Paragon Dr.
San Jose, CA 95131

TVI 912C

$ 950—
$1,030

1 6 " x 1 3 " x 20 "
30 lbs.

12" diag.

1920

80x24

128

Texas Instruments, Inc.
P.O. Box 1444
Houston, TX 77001

OPTI 940

$1,895

n/a

12" diag.

1920*

(standard)

80x24

128

Zentec Corporation
2400 Walsh Ave.

Santa Clara, CA 95050

Zephyr

$1,350

1 8 " x 1 3 " x 22 "
50 lbs.

12" diag.
P4

nonglare

1920

80x24

128

n/a = information not available
* = maximum

character data; the control unit, for the manipulation
and display of characters; and the communications
module, providing circuits required to send and receive
data. But, these modules encompass a broad range
of implementations.

There are terminals designed for displaying high-
resolution graphic images. There are mini-terminals with
limited display and keyboard capabilities for special
purposes. There are models for data entry and others
intended for data communications (remote) applications.

Our focus in the accompanying comparative eval-
uation is on yet another variety— alphanumeric
display terminals— those capable of being used in a
variety of applications and interfacing with a variety of
digital computers.

For our purposes, certain selection criteria
were established.

The first requirement is that all terminals implement
the RS232 communications interface standard, although
many support additional communications methods. This

standard has been widely implemented by manufacturers
and guarantees electrical capability between the
computer and the display terminal.

All terminals listed utilize the ASCII standard coded
characters to communicate with the host computer.
This guarantees logical compatibility between the
computer and the terminal.

The third requirement was for all terminals to be
capable of displaying a full complement of alphabetic
and numeric characters, punctuation symbols, mathe-
matical symbols, etc. This is necessary to assure that
the terminal is adequate for computer operations and
that it is capable of being used with an assortment of
software. All terminals listed have typewriter-type
keyboards, as a minimum, although many provide
numeric keypads and special function keys also.

The last criterion is in regard to cost. The terminals
included represent the low end of the price scale of the
alphanumeric video display terminal market. There are
the “dumber” terminals; but this is not to say that

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 81

Table 2. Display terminal features

Manufacturer

Model

Number

Selected Features

Transmission

Modes

Transmission

Speed

(Baud)

Other

Features

Cursor Control

Reverse Video

Blinking Fields

Blank Fields

Alarm (Bell)

Automatic Repeat
Characters

Upper and Lower
Case Characters

Self Test

ADDS

Regent 20

yes

character

110-9.6K

Numeric keypad

Regent 25

yes

character

1 10-9.6K

Monitor mode

Ampex

Dialogue 80

yes

n/a

yes

character, block

50-1 9.2K

Detachable keyboard,
Numeric keypad

Amtek

ABM 80

yes

character, block

1 10-9.6K

Beehive

DM10

yes

n/a

yes

n/a

110-19.2K

Monitor mode

DM1 A

yes

character

110-19.2K

Graphics characters,
Time-of-day clock

COPS

COPS 10

yes

character

110-19.2K

Detachable keyboard

Datamedia

Elite 1521

yes

n/a

character

1 10-9.6K

Status line

GDS

132/C

Displaymaster

yes

n/a

yes

character

up to 19.2K

Programmable
function keys,
Line drawings

GTC

GT-101

yes

character, block

110-19. 2K

Status line,
Line drawings

GT-110

yes

character, block

110-19.2K

Status line,
Block graphics

Hazeltine

1410

yes

character

up to 9.6K

Numeric keypad

1420

yes

character

up to 9.6K

Numeric keypad

1500 Series

yes

character, block

up to 19.2K

function keys

HDS

Concept 100

yes

n/a

yes

n/a

character, block

50-9. 6K

Business graphics,
Windowing, Tilt screen

Heath

WH-19

yes

n/a

yes

n/a

yes

n/a

character

1 10-9.6K

Status line

Hewlett-Packard

2621 A

yes

character

110-9.6K

2-page memory,
detachable keyboard

Informer, Inc.

D301

yes

character

up to 9.6K

Separate control unit

IDS

Intertube

yes

n/a

yes

character, block

50-9.6K

LSI

ADM-3A

yes

character, block

75-19. 2K

ADM-5

yes

n/a

character, block

up to 19.2K

Status line

MAS

MINI MAS 1

yes

character, block

up to 9.6K

Numeric keypad

MINI MAS 2

yes

character, block

up to 19.2K

Numeric keypad

Microterm

ACT5-A

yes

character, block

1 10-19. 2K

Graphics set

Perkin-Elmer

550

yes

n/a

yes

character

1 10-9.6K

Optional character sets

Soroc

IQ 120

yes

character, block

75-1 9. 2K

IQ 135

yes

n/a

yes

character, block

110-19. 2K

Status line,
Line graphics

IQ 140

yes

character, block

1 10-19. 2K

Detachable keyboard,
Numeric keypad

Teleray

yes

character, block

50-9.6K

Double-wide characters
4 styles,

some w/detachable keypad

yes

character, block

50-9.6K

2-page memory, 3 styles
Numeric keypad,

1 28-character buffer

Televideo

TVI 91 2C

yes

character, block

75-9.6K

Numeric keypad,
Function keys

Texas

Instruments

OPTI 940

yes

character, block

110-19.2K

Tiltable display,

Detachable keyboard,
Programmable function keys

Zentec

Zephyr

yes

character, block

1 10-19. 2K

Numeric keypad,
Status line

n/a = information not available

these terminals are not very capable and versatile. In
fact, there are very few truly “dumb” terminals available
today. The trend has been for manufacturers, mainly
through the use of microprocessors, to provide editing
and data highlighting “smarts” heretofore found only in
higher priced models.

The accompanying charts have been provided to give
the reader an overview of what is currently available.
The tables neither approve of a particular terminal by
listing it, nor disapprove of another by not listing it. The
tables merely portray a cross-section of terminals
meeting the selection criteria.

The first four columns of table 1 are basically self-
explanatory, providing information on the manufac-
turer’s name and address, the model(s) represented,
the suggested retail price, and the size and weight.

Display screen columns

The next three columns pertain to the display screen.
The dimension is given along with the type — when infor-
mation was available. The screen type has been an
area of change for video terminals in the last few years.
Although the cost for applications involving extended
periods of use is generally greater, it has been found
that the green phosphor type screen causes less eye
strain. The next column describes the capacity of the
screen in terms of the total number of characters
displayed at one time. Below, within the same column,
is a breakdown of how many characters are displayed
per line or row on the screen by how many lines are on
a screen. The “character set” column indicates the
terminal’s capacity to display different characters.

Some terminals can display only upper case alpha
characters, others display upper and lower case, some
display more special characters (mathematical symbols,
financial symbols, etc.) than others. These are all
factors to consider in choosing the best terminal to suit
your needs.

Additional features

In table 2, the group of columns entitled Selected
Features depict some basic video and functional
features— the “smarts” of the terminal. Although all
may not be necessary for some applications, they can
provide the user/programmer with a much more
versatile tool. Most categories are self-explanatory,
ranging from video attributes to certain functional
attributes. Yes or no indicates the presence or absence
of the feature.

The next two columns concern the terminals’
communications features. Although all use the RS232
standard, there can be varying capabilities. The speed
at which the terminal can send and receive information
is a selection factor. This is indicated as the baud rate
—a rating system basically equivalent to the number of
bits being transmitted per second. Also to be con-
sidered is the ability for various transmission modes.
All terminals listed are capable of character by
character transmission.

The final column is sort of a catch-all — a place to
indicate some of the additional features or unique
amenities of a particular terminal. Due to space
limitations, all features of a particular terminal cannot
be listed. □

LIMITED QUANTITY OF OLIVETTI 201
DAISY WHEEL ELECTRONIC
TYPEWRITER

$ 2195

* U S.

(CANADIAN PRICES ON REQUEST )

Features:

I STANDARD CENTRONIC INTERFACE I

(PET IEEE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST) •

ALL FEATURE SOFTWARE SELECTABLE •

DECIMAL TABBING •

AUTOMATIC CENTERING I

AUTOMATIC UNDERLINING •

AUTOMATIC COLUMN LAYOUT •

RIGHT HAND MARGIN CONTROL
INTERCHANGEABLE "DAISY" PRINT WHEELS «

NORMAL

REVERSE PRINT
BOLDFACE PRINT
BOLDFACE UNDERLINING

NORMAL PRINT UNDERLINING
VARIABLE POINT SIZE TYPE FACES
SOFTWARE SELECTABLE PITCH
10, 12, 15 OR PROPORTIONAL SPACING
INTERNAL NON-VOLATILE MEMORY UP TO 800 CHARACTERS

For
use with -

• APPLE
•TRS 80
•PET

to order or for further information call-

Computer Lab
910 Wilson Ave.
Downsview, Ontario
(416)636*8627 • M3K 1E7

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 16

INTERFACE AGE 83

Local Packet
Networking

!55^™^by Bernard Conrad

An unforeseen byproduct of the proliferation of low
cost computing power within many major corporations
and organizations is an increasingly severe data
communications problem. What many organizations are
ending up with is a multitude of various terminals, word
processors, personal computers and small business
computers, as well as mainframe computers that cannot
talk to each other.

In most large corporations, it is useful to have inter-
communication among computer and/or terminal. So,
there is a movement afoot to begin to network
resources that are already available.

Many of these network schemes are limited tech-
nically to servicing 1-2 room areas, mostly buildings.
Even with this limitation, there are several markets to
be satisfied, although this approach does not allow
much room for expansion. One is the automation of the
office, which usually involves facilitating the ability of
microprocessor-based word processors to communi-
cate. The other is extending the capacity of existing
terminal-mainframe configurations beyond what is
allowed with current hardwired baseband coaxial
systems. This will permit them to talk to more than just
the device that is hardwired on.

Most colleges, universities and schools that have
campus configurations ideal for local networks also fall
into this category. In the financial districts of most
cities, there are banks, brokerages, and transaction
facilities with hundreds of people using terminal
devices invariably connected to some kind of network.

Until recently, the only alternative that a major
organization had if it wanted to hook its computing and
terminal facilities together into a local network was
PABX telephone switching technology. But this has a
number of drawbacks.

First is the long time it takes to connect a call —
often 20 seconds or more. In many potential computer
and terminal applications, when a terminal or computer
needs data it needs it fast, and the prospects of a
20-second wait each time rules out the use of tele-
phone switching.

Second, in many uses of computers, the transmission
of data is sporadic. For example, a response is sent to
a terminal. The terminal user thinks about it for awhile
and then sends a brief message to the computer. A
dialog proceeds in which the messages and responses
are interspersed with substantial pauses. If the dialog
is taking place over a switched public telephone line
transmitting at 4800 baud, the gaps may be as much as
100 times longer than the times when data is actually
being transmitted. If the connection could be switched
and disconnected in a fraction of a second, the lines
could be used more efficiently, but this is not the case
with a PABX or public telephone network.

A third drawback is that blocking sometimes occurs
on the network, and a call cannot be switched as
required because all the registers in an exchange or all
the circuits on a given route are occupied.

Because of these drawbacks, many companies are
looking at the concept of packet communications, a
technique originally developed for long distance
computer communications (ARPANET, the prime
example) and seeing how it can be applied to local
computer communications.

Two chief advantages of the packet network
approach are the ability to handle data rates in the 1 K
to 1 0M bps range and channel utilization approaching
90%, a very high efficiency by communications system
standards. By comparison, the best voice grade
telephone switching systems can achieve, even with
the most advanced computerized PABX technology is
between 19K and 56K bits per second.

An appropriately designed local packet network can
improve on these drawbacks in that:

• There is no dialing and no call connect time.
The only delay is the packet transit delay of a
fraction of a second.

• When transmission is sporadic, packets are
sent only when needed, and other users are
not excluded from the trunk during idle periods.

• When all trunks are occupied, the caller is not
rejected with a busy signal. Instead, the packet
waits within a queue until a trunk becomes free
—normally no more than a fraction of a second.

Compared to telephone circuit switching, the
efficiency of this approach derives from the fact that a
user sending data occupies the network for only the
time it takes his packets to travel. In between, the net-
work is free to accept packets from many other users.
Aside from efficiency, packet switching has many other
advantages, mostly from the built-in intelligence. The
switches themselves are basically microcomputers and
they can be programmed to do many functions. Error
checking is a key function. Each packet of information
is double checked each step of the way, resulting in a
degree of accuracy on the network not obtainable
before. The software in the system also allows users to
undertake a number of communications processing
functions— such as speed conversion— to allow ter-
minals of different types to communicate effectively.

And by standardizing the packets and the methods
of connecting terminals and computers to the network,
a universal accessible network is possible, one that will
accommodate many users with many different types
of equipment.

Because of the interactive nature of the communica-
tions in most local networks, the virtual circuit approach

84 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

to handling the flow of packets is used. A virtual circuit
is a logical point-to-point connection between the
sending and receiving terminals. The virtual circuit is
analogous to the real circuit that would be established
through a circuit switching system, except that packet
switching network resources are not permanently
assigned to a particular virtual circuit. In a virtual circuit
system, the packet switching network delivers packets
in the order they were received by the network. It also
takes responsibility for recovering lost packets and for
not delivering duplicate packets.

A standard network access control has been
adopted internationally as CCITT Recommendation
X.28. This protocol defines procedures for setting up a
call, transferring data, and clearing down the call after
the data exchange is completed. It contains three
levels of protocol.

Level 1 lays down the rules necessary to establish a
physical link between the terminal or computer and the

packet switching network (PSN). Level 2 is a link
access procedure that lays down the rules for passing
information between the terminal or computer and the
network. Level 3 establishes packet formats and the
control procedures necessary to set up a call and
exchange information with other terminals or computers.

Computers and intelligent terminals are capable of
implementing such a protocol, so they can directly
connect into the network. Dumb terminals need to be
connected via an intelligent network access machine
that satisfies the X.3 packet assembly/disassembly
protocol. Such a device allows it to accept data from a
terminal, packetize it, and forward it into the packet
switching network via the standard protocol. The
network then carries the data through to the receiving
terminal or computer.

To implement this packet networking scheme, three
basic media alternatives are being considered-
baseband coaxial, broadband coaxial and optical fibers.

PABX Still in the Ballpark

With literally billions of dollars at stake, the telephone-switch based PABX manufacturers are not giving up
the local computer communications market without a fight.

The chief advantage they have is that literally millions of miles of installed twisted wire already exist. And
many PABX manufacturers have developed technological “fixes” to alleviate some of the limitations of the
traditional telephone switching network approach. This allows communication between computers and
terminals, using packet switching techniques similar to the Ethernet approach.

The companies expected to enter the market in a big way are Rolm Corp. of Santa Clara, CA; Datapoint
Corp., San Antonio, TX; the Intercom division of Exxon, Dallas, TX; Harris Digital Telephone Systems, Novato,
CA; and Lexar Corp., Los Angeles, CA.

Each of these firms has introduced (or soon will) PBXs integrating both voice and data from a single
terminal location.

Typical of the approaches being considered by these firms is the system just introduced by Rolm Corp., a
manufacturer of both military-type minicomputers and computerized PABXs (or CBXs, as they are designated).
Using a technique called “submultiplexing”, the system will allow voice and digital communications between
terminals, computers and other facilities, on-site and off-site, at speeds as high as 19,200 bits per second for
less than the per connection cost of a 1 200 bps modem.

in submultiplexing, the slots used for a single voice grade telephone conversation can now be subdivided (or
submultiplexed) to transmit 40 simultaneous, 2400 bps data connections through any Rolm CBX. In this enhance-
ment of the CBX time division multiplexing process, all voice signals are digitized so that more than one two-way
conversation can travel in the same time slot at 144,000 bps. Two of the CBX’s 384 time slots are required for
each voice transmission. With submultiplexing, the dedication of 1 6 time slots individually divided into 40 position
fields provides as many as 640 data connections or 320 simultaneous full duplex connections.

All that an organization with a CBX already in place requires to implement the submultiplexing scheme is a
new release of CBX software and three other components.

A data terminal interface (DTI), a desk top device that connects a terminal and the CBX, is the first. It can be
used with any asynchronous terminal, computer port, modem, or multiplexer to transmit data over standard
telephone wires at 110 bps to 19.2K bps at distances as far as 5,000 feet from the CBX. The DTI has a
standard RS232C interface.

A data line interface (DLI), two pc boards mounted in the CBX cabinet, is also available. Each DLI supports
1 6 data lines and each channel operates at a data rate independent of the others. The DLI provides the inter-
face and control capabilities for full duplex communications before connection to the time division multiplexing
bus for switching by the CBX.

Finally, a time division multiplexing control card is installed in the CBX cabinet, to expand the traffic carrying
capacity of the CBX, by submultiplexing the data connections.

The advantage of submultiplexing is that it removes what previously seemed to be a fixed limitation by
effectively allocating parts of CBX time slots into voice or data portions, as needed. Although data communica-
tions need less time per connection than a voice call, the actual connect time, the percentage of lines used
and the number of calls in progress at any time are greater for data calls.

Designed for facilities with 24 to 4000 extensions, the CBX provides a capability for as much as 74 million
bps of data to accommodate a wide range of office automation applications.

Major markets for the submultiplexed voice/data Rolm CBX will be systems with 200 or more lines, but,
according to the company, the approach will be cost-effective for systems with as few as four terminals.

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 85

Coaxial cable, in general, is the most popular trans-
mission medium for the non-optical approaches to local
packet networking because of its moderate cost and
ease of configuration as well as its relatively high band-
width. Baseband coaxial cable transmits a signal that in
many applications is a pulse code modulated (PCM) or
phase modulated (PM) bit stream. Broadband coax, the
technique employed in cable CATV systems, can carry
baseband signals, but its more commonly used to
deliver wideband RF signals divided into discrete
channels and transmitted simultaneously. Optical fiber
cables, however, continue to gain in popularity because
of their unique advantages, such as very high bandwidth
as W3ll as immunity to and freedom from interference,
crosstalk and ground loops. These advantages result in
very low error rates and high reliability.

Depending on the kind of network contol being con-
sidered, these local packet network alternatives are
usually configured into one of four network topologies:

• Point to Point, which is simplest. It is also the
costliest and least versatile architecture, and,
suprisingly, most often used in telephone
company based networks.

• Star, which is usually limited to central control
nodes. This architecture lacks redundancy
when a central node fails.

• Ring, which also lacks redundancy in its
basic form. IBM’s SDLC based loops embody
a ring topology.

• Bus, which handles both direct computer-to-
computer connections and cable used networks.

The mode of network control desired usually deter-
mines the choice of topology. A star architecture is
employed when centralized control is being considered,
whereas a bus architecture is the best choice for
distributed control, where each node can gain network
control from time to time. Ring architectures can use
either central or distributed control.

Fiber optics, described by its adherents as the wave
of the future, offers a variety of advantages. The high
data rates possible on fiber optic cables can reach one
or more gigabits. Unfortunately, this technology does
not currently allow for inexpensive and commercially
available multidrop operation. It is, however, valuable
for long distance trunking, environments where isolation
from electrical fields is important, transmission between
computers at extremely high data rates, and in situations
where security from interception is crucial.

Physically there is not much difference between
baseband coaxial cable and broadband CATV cable.
The first is a carrier wire surrounded by a woven mesh
of copper, while the latter has a sleeve of extruded
aluminum instead. The baseband is about half an inch in
diameter and the broadband is only slightly wider. Both
cost about the same per foot. But, in terms of capacity
and capability, broadband is a significant improvement
over baseband techniques.

For one thing, broadband networks such as Localnet
use radio frequency (RF) transmission, which means
that in comparison to baseband coaxial networks which
have capacities varying from 1 to 10 Mbit/second, a
single broadband cable can support a transmission rate
of almost 200 Mb/s. Moreover, this increased capacity

—about 20 to 200 times that of baseband— can be
wholly or partly dedicated to data communications and
implemented at a cost comparable to, and often lower
than, baseband networks.

Broadband cable has a capacity that is midrange
between fiber optics and conventional media such as
coax baseband. For each coaxial node, an ultimate
of about 200 Mb/s of full duplex transmission line
is available. All channel assignments using the
broadband approach are usually done by frequency
division multiplexing.

The efficiency of the broadband network lies in its
ability to carry a multiplicity of signals with little or no
loss or distortion. The RF nature of the signals offers
very high signal to noise ratios, equivalent to bit error
rates of 1 in 1 00 million to 1 in 1 00 trillion.

Broadband networks are very flexible and their
structure — whether star, tree or a hybrid — is indepen-
dent of the physical structure of the cable system.
Growth of the network is simply a matter of adding new
terminals to existing taps. A broadband network
provides the capability for instantaneous reconfiguration
of the interconnection by simply unplugging and re-
plugging at a new location. With broadband technology,
the user expands the network by securing a short piece
of cable, adding the station to the network control
database and installing the modems.

When a new building or floor of a building is added, a
simple cable extension is all that is required. And when
the traffic load approaches cable capacity, the network
is reconfigured into a hierarchy, with subnetworks.

The one area where baseband has it over broadband
is in installation cost. While the cost of broadband
cabling is roughly the same as that of baseband— about
$.70 to $3 per installed foot— the interface devices
may cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per node.

For the foreseeable future, all three cable tech-
nologies coexist. Baseband, because of economics,
will dominate for at least the next five years. During the
latter part of the decade, broadband will take the lead.
However, over the long run, according to a study by
International Resource Development Inc., both coaxial
approaches, as well as twisted wire, will be displaced
by fiber optics, which offers even greater bandwidths
at lower costs.

Marketplace is expanding

In general, the total value of local network installa-
tions will exceed $3.2 billion by 1990 and will consist
of at least 3.5 nodes, according to the IRD study. With
this kind of market at stake, a wide range of companies
have entered the fray.

Typical of the baseband entries is Ethernet, developed
by Xerox’s Palo Alto, CA research center. It was
developed initially as a broadcase packet switching
medium in which each stations transceiver selects
appropriate messages based on the packet’s leading
address. It was designed primarily to support Xerox’s
entry into the office automation market. Now the alliance
involves Digital Equipment Corp. and Intel Corp. Zilog’s
Z-Net and Ungerman-Bass’ Net/One. Typical capacity
ranges from 200 to 300 nodes and overall distance is 1
to 2 miles.

Another major contender is Network Systems Corp.,
with its Hyperchannel and Hyperbus offerings. Similar
to Ethernet in many ways, Hyperchannel can extend up

86 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

to one mile without repeaters. A maximum of 64 devices
can be multidropped from Hyperchannel, which uses
an eight bit address.

In the broadband arena, one of the first entries was
Digital Communications Corp.’s Paklom system. A
more recent, and dominant participant is Sytek Inc.,
with its manufacturing subsidiary, Network Resources
Corp. Sytek offers two high performance network
products, Localnet 20 and Localnet 40. It can support
as many as 120 networks on a single cable. It can
broadcast over 1 5 miles and a system can consist of up
to several thousand LocalNet nodes without significant
signal loss or increase in noise and error.

Various modems offered

In LocalNet, Sytek offers a variety of cable adapters
called TBOX and TMUX units. The TBOX units are RF
modems that also contain local packet switching
intelligence at the station level. A TBOX contains a full
duplex FM transceiver, which allows insertion of a
156 MHz spacing between the transmit and receive
frequencies. The TMUX unit can be used to interface
as many as eight devices with an RF transceiver. Other
adapters are available to bridge channels on a cable
using frequency agile modems integrated with a micro-
processor. This device, a TBRIDGE, monitors four
channels via software selection for packets requiring
interchannel transfer.

To build an effective broadband local packet network
that is reasonably low in cost, care has to be taken
in the design of the modems used. There are basically
only two choices. One is use the standard fixed
frequency modem allocating one to each channel
required. The other is build one modem that can
address all the channels— a frequency agile modem.
(Agility refers to a modem that is addressable and can
be tuned or programmed to address any of a number of
different channels.)

In the LocalNet, agility is achieved through the
incorporation of intelligence in the form of an advanced
microprocessor into various components. In system
20, each model 1 00 Tbox incorporates a Z80 micro-
processor, allowing it to easily address any of 120
separate channels. It is also what executes the packet
network protocols.

Several layers of communications protocol are
necessary in the operation of a packet network, almost
all of which is stored in firmware PROM, as instructions
to be executed by the Z80. A few procedures are per-
formed by the Z80 Syncronous I/O peripheral (SIO),
which incorporates the HDLC protocol on-chip.

HDLC is the protocol that defines the packet’s frame
with beginning and ending flags, and also generates
and verifies a check sum for each unit of data. It also
addresses each channel.

The Z80 reads the character input from a terminal,
formats this information into a packet, which consists of
a header and a body of data. The header contains an
address of the destination of the packet, the location of
the specific model 1 00 Tbox. The packet gains access
to the channel via a CSMA/CD mechanism, using the
SIO chip to limit the beginning and ending of the frame
and add the check sum information before transmission.

The packet is then transmitted as a sequence of bits
across the channel. Then, either a model 300 Tbridge
or another model 1 00 Tbox that has been designated as

COMPUTER
FORMS KIT

with continuous business forms
for small computer systems

Each kit contains samples, programming
guides, flyers, prices and order forms for
checks, invoices, statements, envelopes,
stock paper and labels to fit almost every
computer system.

• Available in quantities of 500, 1,000, 2,000
4,000, 6,000

• Low Prices (500 checks only $32.50)

• FAST SERVICE — It is our policy to ship
within 6 working days following our
receipt of your order.

• MONEY BACK GUARANTEE — If for any
reason you are not completely satisfied,
your money will be promptly refunded.

Fast Service by mail or. . .PHONE TOLL FREE
1 + 800 - 225-9 550

Mass, residents 1 + 800-922-8560

8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Monday — Friday

Please Ship FREE Kit To:

CODE 460

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. <3

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 87

the destination picks up the packet, detects it, using
the protocol chip. The processor will then read out
each byte in the packet, check the address to deter-
mine whether or not the packet was for it, and check
the CRC to make sure it was transmitted correctly. If
not, it is rejected and the source model 1 00 Tbox will
retransmit later. If transmitted correctly, the destination
model 100 Tbox will transmit an acknowledgement
packet back to the source. The processor then
removes data bytes from the packet and feeds the
information to the destination terminal.

In LocalNet, none of the terminals ever talk to the
cable system directly. A block diagram of the model
100 Tbox would include a UART which talks to the
terminal, a Z80 microprocessor which accepts the input
data from the UART, a block of battery-backup CMOS
RAM, about 2K bytes; also 2K bytes of ROM/PROM,
both expandable up to 1 6K bytes. The PROM contains
the protocol information. The CMOS RAM acts as the
buffer storage for the blocks of data to be transmitted
and translated for output through an RF modem to the
destination terminal. There is also a parallel I/O port to
control the modem agility and some of the front panel
indicators. A timer chip does the retransmission timing
for all of the packets. The model 100 Tbox also contains
a USART to talk to the cable.

The Z80 using the program storage in the PROM
executes protocol instructions at all times. It is, in
essence, now a protocol processor.

Model 200 Tmux, performing essentially the same
job as the model 100 Tbox, serves as a single terminus
for either eight terminals or a host computer’s multi-
plexer ports.

In model 300 Tbridge, what is being transmitted
across the channel is physical frame containing a
packet of information. What the model does is “sit” on
the channel and monitor the packets, looking for
packets destined for model 1 00 Tboxes or model 200
Tmuxes on other channels. If it sees one, it picks it up
off the channel by copying it into its own buffer
memory. It then retransmits it on another channel, the
one closest to the destination. In a PROM, it maintains
a value table that reflects the topology of the network
and what model 100 Tboxes and Tmuxes are located
on the channels to which it is connected. It is essentially
of the same architecture as the model 100 Tbox,
except that it contains more RAM, more ROM, and four
USARTs, a faster Z80, and four modems.

Cable head is crucial

Although it can be connected to any one of the cable
taps, it is usually attached at the head end of the
cable, with the rest of the centralized electronics. The
cable head is where the analog transmission Tverter
is also located, at the center of the cable system. This
is a unique spot in the cable system, where all the
trunks terminate.

The newer cable systems, are mostly bidirectional,
in that they break the 400MHz spectrum into reverse
and forward channels. In a CATV system, the low end,
from 5 to 110 MHz, is the reverse and the 265 to
400 MHz is the forward portion. To prevent crosstalk,
there is a guard band from 1 10 to about 265 MHz. For
a complete bidirectional channel, it is necessary to up
convert and down convert from one frequency range to
the other. For most signals, this conversion takes place

in the head-end electronics where wideband analog
devices take as much as 100 MHz of bandwidth and up
converts it to the high end and back. To conform to this
architecture, the LocalNet uses a Tverter, which
converts up to 120 channels in a block back and forth
between the high and low end of the spectrum.

The protocol techniques used throughout system 20
devices features a layered architecture that presents
an X.28 line protocol to the user and an X.3 compatible
packet assembly/disassembly (PAD) mechanism in a
virtual circuit environment that incorporates both error
control and flow control.

Similar to the ARPA net protocols, check sums are
placed on each packet by the source model 1 00 Tbox,
so that the destination model 100 Tbox can check for

The newer
cable systems are
mostly bidirectional

errors, both single and double bit. If information is lost,
the destination model 100 Tbox notifies the source
model 100 Tbox and the packet is retransmitted.
Essentially what we have done is compress the
complex structure of an ARPA net into a single set of
low cost boxes.

What the model 1 00 Tboxes also allow is matching
of terminals with different data rates. In a situation
where a 9600 baud terminal needs to communicate
with a 300 baud terminal, the model 100 Tbox
"throttles” the faster one, so that its net rate over a
given period of time is only 300 baud. This is achieved
through a series of communications between the two
terminals. Each knows what its local baud rate must be.
They exchange information about the baud rates of
each and the status of their respective buffers and that
of the Tbridge. Through a mutually agreed procedure,
they arrange the various elements in the system to
operate at a rate that is compatible to both. What it also
means is that a host computer with a 1200 or 9600
baud rate can communicate quite easily with a network
of low cost 200 to 300 baud rate terminals. It is no
longer necessary to group host ports of various
speeds with terminals of equivalent speed.

The system 20 modules have been designed so that
secure channel capability can be added with the simple
addition of the Data Encryption Standard algorithm.
This DES algorithm is used for end-to-end encryption
of user data. Each network node would contain its own
master key. Encryption keys for data transport-
session keys— are generated for each virtual circuit by
a Key Distribution Center (KDC) and distributed to the
participating nodes encrypted under the master keys.
No node besides the KDC would need to store any
other node’s master key, thus enhancing total network
security. Since a new session key is used for each
virtual circuit, this approach assures that the keys used
to transmit any sizable amounts of data are replaced
after a relatively short life cycle. □

88 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

Intertec

EMULATOR

Software compatible with a Soroc IQ-120,
Hazeltine 1500, ADM-3A or DEC VT-52. Fea-
tures block mode transmission and printer port;
12" anti glare screen; 18-key numeric keypad;
full cursor control. List $895

OUR PRICE $749

NEW INTERTUBE III

List $995 ONLY $749

12" display, 24 x 80 format, 18-key numeric
keypad, 128 upper/lower case ASCII charac-
ters. Reverse video, blinking, complete cursor
addressing and control. Special user-defined
control function keys, protected and unpro-
tected fields. Line insert/delete and character
insert/delete editing, eleven special line draw-
ing symbols.

TELEVIDEO TVI-912C

Upper and lower case, 15 baud rates: 75 to
19,000 baud, dual intensity, 24 x 80 character
display, 12 x 10 resolution. Numeric pad. Pro-
grammable reversfole video, auxiliary port,
self-test mode, protect mode, block mode,
tabbing, addressable cursor. Microprocessor
controlled, programmable underline, line and
character insert/delete. "C" version features
typewriter-style keyboard. List $950

OUR PRICE $789

920C (with 11 function keys, 6 edit keys and
2 transmission mode keys, List $1030

ONLY $849

950C List $1195 $1039

HAZELTINE

1500
ONLY

$879

PAPER TIGER'

1410 w/numeric keypad. List $900 $749

1420 w/lower case and numeric pad 849

1510, List $1395 1089

1520, List $1650 1389

SOROC

IQ-120

List $995

SPECIAL

i$729

IQ135
$749

IQ-140 List $1495

SPECIAL $1149

CENTRONICS

PRINTERS

NEW 730, parallel, friction, tractor $599

NEW 737 parallel, friction, tractor $799

779-2 w/tractor (same as TRS-80 Line

Printer I), List $1350 $799

704 RS232 serial version, $2350 $1595

704-9 RS232 180CPS $1595

704-11 Parallel 180CPS $1695

NEC SPINWRITER

Terminal/Keyboard as well as
RO Printer Only models available.

CALL FOR PRICES!

IDS 445G PAPER TIGER $698

Buffer w/graphics option, incl. buffer, . . $789
TRS-80 cable $45

NEW IDS 460

QUALITY PRINTING AT MATRIX
SPEED-LOGIC SEEKING
PROPORTIONAL SPACING

w/auto text justification

NEW I0S PAPERTI6ER 460List $1295 . $1099
NEW IDS PAPERTIGER 460G List $1394 $1149

NEW IDS 560G List $1794 $1499

TI-810

TI-810 Basic Unit, $1895 . ONLY $1595
TI-810 w/full ASCII (Lower case), vertical
forms control, and compressed print . $1795
TI-745 Complete printing terminal
with acoustic coupler. List $1695 .... $1399

ANflDGC

DP9500 / DP9501 PRINTERS

DP-9500. List $1650

DP-9501, List $1650

ANADEX DP-8000

80-Col. Dot Matrix

OKI DATA

Microline 80 List $599 only

Tractor Feed Option

Serial interface

Microline 82 List $799

Microline 83 List $1260

AXIOM IMP I

Above prices reflect a 2% cash discount (order prepaid prior to shipment). Add 2% to prices for credit
card orders, C.O.D.'s, etc. Prices are f.o.b. shipping point. Prices are subject to change and offers
subject to withdrawal without notice. WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG.

MiniMicroMart, Inc.

1618 James Street, Syracuse NY 13203 (315) 422-4467 TWX 710-541-0431

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 132

2694G7

INTERFACE AGE 89

> v

f ■■■■ ■ ^

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
AND THE CONSUMER

V 4

■ by Robert J. Hustwit _

There is a new force loose in the land this decade,
and very few high technology companies seem to
know how to handle it. It’s called consumerism. The
American consumer is powerfully coming to the atten-
tion of the computer industry. That industry, long a
bastion of unintelligible jargon and uncommunicative
workers, is beginning to feel that, in order to succeed,
they must sell themselves and their products as if they
were cornflakes.

The consumer is not at all impressed with bits and
bytes; as a matter of fact, he’s turned off by them.
What the consumer wants from the computing industry
is reliable service, such as he gets from his telephone
or electric company; when he picks up the phone, it
works; when he flips the switch, the light goes on.

High technology manufacturers have been selling to
technical people for so long that they are not prepared
to cope with the mass marketing techniques necessary
to capture the public’s imagination. That’s why the toy
companies made the first significant computer inroads
into American homes, while Tandy, Apple and Pet went
after the “hobbyist” when they got started.

With the advent of The Source and Micronet two
years ago, telecommunications came to the consumer
...the information age had begun. While there has been
no significant market penetration to date by either of
these services, they have at least demonstrated the
feasability of such a concept.

Although there is no question that consumer tele-
communications is the wave of the future, how this will
hit has most big businesses puzzled. Major publishing
houses, oil companies and high technology firms are all
watching each development in the field, somewhat like
a group of timid swimmers dipping one toe into a cold
pool, knowing that they are going in, just not sure how.

The reason for this uncertainty is that nobody knows
how the consumer will react to having massive amounts
of current information available on an instantaneous
basis in his home. Until there is more statistical data
available, no one really wants to be next.

There are five major areas of service that a consumer
information system must provide in order to be a
serious contender in this new field.

First the system must offer current information to its
subscribers. News, sports, weather, stock market
information should be offered in data bases that are
interactive and allow boolean logic searches through

the information. A corollary to this is that the system
should be command-driven as opposed to menu-driven,
as this gives the user much more flexibility and power.
Some feel that the consumer won’t want to cope with
the complexities of the direct command mode, and will
only use a menu-driven system, giving the user a limited
number of choices. I don’t agree. When information is
offered to the consumer, he must have the ability to
search through all available information, asking for and
getting only what he wants.

Secondly, a system must allow access to other users.
This is done through some type of electronic mail
system. Such a system allows almost instantaneous
delivery of messages from one user to another, with
the system storing the message until the person for
whom it is intended comes on-line. There should also be
another way to communicate with system users, and
that is direct, real-time, terminal-to-terminal communi-
cations. This feature should allow for private two-way
conversations over the terminal, as well as private
group conferencing.

Thirdly, the system should provide both education
and entertainment to subscribers. The line between
good entertainment and good education is too fine to
distinguish, so by putting the two together, I am
assuming a high standard for both. Computer-type
games, reading tutors, language instructions and
three-player games (where you are one player, the
computer is another and some other subscriber
anywhere in the country is the third), are only a few
items in this category.

Fourthly, the system should provide its subscribers
some consumer services. These services could include
tickets to major sporting events and shows, travel
services, on-line buying services and bulletin-boards for
subscribers. As the cost of getting around keeps going
up, more and more services will be able to pay their way
by entering the telecommunications field and allowing
the consumer to shop or use their services at home.

Finally, a consumer-oriented service should offer
some kind of time-sharing ability to its subscribers,
giving them the opportunity to learn about and experi-
ment with a large computer.

Offering service in these five areas is by no means all
that is required of a consumer-oriented information
service. Reliability is absolutely imperative, as well as
the ability to handle at least 20% of its subscriber base
on-line at any one time. Only then will an information
service have the potential to be useful and ultimately
necessary to the American consumer. □

90 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

CONTINENTAL SOFTWARE
THE APPLE SOURCE
FOR BUSINESS.

Introducing the Computer
Programmed Accountant. For
Apple owners only. Four thor-
oughly tested, well documented
business program modules. All
written by professionals. Each
checked out by businesspeople
and accountants. You can add
modules as you expand.

Continental Software is conve-
nient, efficient and easy to use.
Completely debugged— just load
and run.

THE COMPUTER PROGRAMMED
ACCOUNTANT FOUR MODULES

Buy all four now — or add as you
expand $175 each ($250 after 6/1/81)
The first programs for your Apple that
your accountant will like as much as
you do. Nobody makes it better — or
easier to use — than Continental Soft-
ware. Simple step-by-step instructions.
Excellent error checking. Modules can
be used individually, or integrated into
a complete Accounting System.
Manuals only: just $15 each.

CPA1 GENERAL LEDGER.

True double entry bookkeeping with
complete, accurate audit trails show-
ing the source of each entry in the
general ledger. Concise, meaningful
reports generated include Balance
Sheet, Profit & Loss Summary, Trial
Balance and Complete Journal Activity
Report. Reports show monthly, year-to-
date and last year monthly +YTD for
comparison. Custom charting feature
includes hi-res plotting of one or more
accounts.

CPA2 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Prints invoices on available custom
forms or on plain paper. Back orders
and extensions computed. Issues state-
ments for all customers, one or more
customers, or only those with current,
30-, 60-, 90- or 150-day balances.
Maintain up to 300 customers. Custom-
ized journals. Allows simulation of
manual special journal entries. Posts to
General Ledger. Prints aging report to
150 days. Also prints customer lists
and labels.

CPA3 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Prints checks to vendors and non-
vendors on available pre-printed
checks or on plain paper. Each check stub
shows invoice(s) paid, discounts taken,
net paid, Prints Purchases and Cash
Disbursement Journals. Customized
journals. Allows simulation of manual
special journal entries. Prints Aging
Report to 150 days, vendor list and labels
and even a Cash Requirements Report.
Posts to General Ledger.

CPA4 PAYROLL

Maintains personnel records for as
many as 100 employees. Quarter-to-
date and year-to-date earnings and
deduction records. Employees are
departmentalized and designated

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 21

CONTINENTAL

12101 Jefferson Blvd.,

Culver City, CA 90230

hourly or salaried. Prints complete
Payroll Checks, 941 information, W-2s,
State of California DE-3 information.
Prints Payroll Journal and posts to
General Ledger.

These are just some of the fea-
tures of each CPA module. All require
48K, Applesoft in Rom, Dos. 3.3, 2 disk
drives + printer. ,

At your local dealer or fill out and
mail today. Phone for immediate
delivery.

: OK.ni BYTE.

B Send me these revolutionary
& business programs:
m □ CPA1

■ GENERAL LEDGER .

| □ CPA2 ACCTS

■ □ CPA3 ACCTS. PAY . _

□ CPA4 PAYROLL. . . .

1 □ THE MAILROOM . . .

Subtotal

Cal. res. add 6%

■ TOTAL

I $

Name

Address.
City.

Card No.

.State.

Zip

_Exp.

SOFTWARE-

( 213 ) 371-5612

Maintain your Memory

Caring for your Cassette Mass Storage System

— by T. J. Byfirs

Aren’t those inexpensive cassette recorder/players
a wonderful substitute for that “beyond your budget”
floppy disk memory? You bet. But, like all things, they
are prone to occasional failure.

With prices soaring these days, a friendly visit to the
local repair shop could set you back $20 for a simple
cleaning and adjustment; even more for serious maladies.

But you needn’t rush it to an expensive qualified
technician at the hint of trouble. Almost all problems
are mechanically related, and can be avoided altogether.
It doesn’t take a lot of time or a crash course in audio
servicing to keep your unit in top notch condition. Just
follow a few simple steps and common sense. Don’t
wait for your machine to destroy a valuable cassette
before implementing a regular maintenance program.

Dirt is by far the major factor in cassette failure, so
let’s take a look at removing it before it becomes a
crisis. Data is transferred from the tape to the computer
via the pick-up head in the deck. Now, the signal is
generated by passing the magnetized tape across the
head, inducing a voltage as the flux pattern changes.
Since the tape must be in physical contact with the
head to create the desired results, any foreign
substance on the surface of the tape will be transferred
to the head. This includes the ferric oxide that wears
off the plastic backing through friction.

As the debris accumulates on the face of the
head, it prevents intimate contact with the gap
(in the head assembly), which senses the magnetic
changes. This could ultimately result in loss of data or
erroneous information.

The best and most economical removal method is
to scrub it off with a solvent and a cotton swab— like a
Q-Tip. Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is quite

effective. It dissolves the binder that holds the dirt to
the head and evaporates quickly, leaving no residue.

Locate the tape head in your particular machine. It
may be necessary to disconnect the power and engage
the play function in order to advance the head to an
accessible position. Moisten the swab with the alcohol
and gently rub it across the front (tape) surface. You’ll
notice the swab now has a brown tinge to it. This is the
oxide coating that has manifested itself to the surface.

Continue this procedure until the swab comes up
clean— no coloring. If it is possible to visually examine
the head— this sometimes means craning the neck-
see that all the dirt is removed. In some cases,
especially if this chore has been long neglected, the
deposits are stubborn. Even though the cotton appears
clean, there often is still junk on the face.

Reluctant debris

In such a case, continue until it’s all removed.
Never try to scrape the material off with a screwdriver
or any other instrument. It will only scratch the surface,
quite possibly destroying the head. If the material is
really reluctant, a commercial solvent sold through
jobbers or record stores may have to be brought to
bear on the problem.

A clean head should appear shiny and smooth. I
recommend cleaning it before transferring data into the
computer— every time. It takes but a minute and could
really help you keep your cool in case the computer
won’t readily accept the input.

As the oxide builds up on the head, so it does on the
pinch roller. The pinch roller is the wheel that transports
the tape across the head by applying pressure to the

92 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

tape— squeezing tape between it and the capstan.
Most pressure rollers are mode of neoprene— not
rubber. This increases the wear factor on the part, but
it has a tendency to accumulate more dirt than rubber.

The debris collecting on the roller doesn’t affect the
quality of the signal at the head, but it is important to
the proper control of the tape. As a matter of fact, this
is the culprit that “eats” the tapes when it becomes
too filthy.

The way to clean it is with the cotton swab and
mineral alcohol... just as the head. Gain access to the
roller. If it isn’t easily accessible, it may be necessary
to push the play button in order to move the mechanism
forward (as you may have done to get at the head).
With an up and down motion, run the gathered scrap
from the rubber. Turn the wheel slightly as you proceed.
This is a time-consuming job— don’t rush it.

Clean capstan

As the tip soaks up the dirt, renew it with fresh
swabs. The cotton tip will never come completely clean
like it does when swabbing a head, so visual inspection
is a must. The progress will be apparent. It’s also a
good idea at this time to clean the capstan— removing
any gummy substance that may be attached to it.

This needn’t be done as often as cleaning the head.
Just use good judgment as to when it’s necessary. If
you’re using an inexpensive tape that flakes easily, it’ll
have to be done more frequently. Don’t use a petroleum-
based solvent— such as lighter fluid— to clean the
pinch roller. When it evaporates, it leaves a tacky
residue. The solvent could also do physical damage to
the material.

It’s a good idea to inspect the roller for cracks,
chips, or indents. Never leave a tape in the machine
with the roller engaged for long periods of time. It will
definitely implant a dent into the wheel— and could
quite possibly become stuck to it. You can visualize the
results when power is once again applied.

Always keep an alert eye to any debris laying on the
transport mechanism: dirt, dust, lint, etc. Remove it at
the first signs.

There’s more to a tape transport than meets the eye.
You should plan an annual checkup.

All cassette decks use a belt drive system, and the
belts are of the same rubberlike material used for the
pinch roller. Since the belt(s) never come(s) in contact
with the tape itself, there is little, if any, advantage to
cleaning it or having concern of its well-being.

But neoprene has a nasty habit of rotting away. This
condition is further aggravated by smog, ozone,
humidity and all those other things floating in the air.
It’s just a matter of time before the entire thing
crumbles to nothing.

Now, this could be as minor as not driving the
capstan— hence, no tape movement— or a catastrophe
when a tape is consumed if the take-up belt fails. To
inspect the belt(s), it’s necessary to remove the back
from the unit.

Lay the deck face down on a table. You’ll notice
several holes in the case. Inside these wells rest the
screws that attach the back. The screws are undoubtedly
a Phillips head— but check to make sure. Remove the
five or six screws. Always remove the batteries and
inspect for screws in the battery case. They might not
be readily visible on first inspection, but many manufac-

turers put them there. Keep track of which screw came
from which hole. You’ll probably have an assortment
of machine and self-tapping screws of different lengths.

Gingerly lift the back. Don’t force it; it should give
easily. If not, seek out any overlooked fasteners. In
some cases, there are wires attached to the back, so
don’t yank it free to gain a glimpse at the innards— but
carefully maneuver the back to the side. It’s not
necessary to disconnect the wires, just treat them
gently. Now before you are a circuit board, motor,
capstan/flywheel and perhaps a few assorted sundries.

Locate the motor and you’ll see the belt winding
around the pulley. This is the main drive belt. It should
be in good condition with no visible signs of wear.

I always like to replace it, seeing as I’ve gone this far
already. They’re inexpensive and readily available,
either as an exact replacement from the manufacturer
or as a general purpose replacement from several
distributors. It’s a good idea to keep a spare on hand
for emergencies.

Chances are good the belt will be situated under a
metal plate used to stabilize the capstan, which means
you’ll have to remove some screws. Normally there are
three that are pretty tight, so avoid stripping the heads
or you’ll never get them out. Use the proper size tool
and firm, even pressure.

Very, very carefully lift the plate while ascertaining if
any springs, clips, wires or other devices are con-
nected. There may also be a plate of some sort covering
the pulley on the motor. If so, determine how to remove
or circumvent it.

At this point, you probably have the back laying off to
one side hugging the main body with two thin wires,
several screws piled in two or three mounds, a
precarious flywheel and a spring on the verge of
snapping. Relax. Don’t force anything. Remove the old
belt and replace it with the new one.

Some decks contain more than one belt, usually a
take-up reel drive of some sort. Inspect the take-up
spindle for its drive. If it’s belt-driven— replace it.

Occasionally, a deck will have a rewind and/or counter
belt. These don’t have to be replaced every time unless
you’re having a problem with that particular function or
the belt appears damaged.

Putting it together again

Now reverse the procedure, replacing the capstan
plate first. There are probably some alignment holes
it’ll snap into, so pay attention. Don’t try to fasten it
down with the screws— everything should be in place
before a screw is even inserted.

Replace all pieces you had to remove to gain access
to the drive assembly. When everything is returned,
nestle the back into position. Take note if a handle was
removed prior to work. Such handles are usually
attached through two slots at the top of the cases and
is merely a convenience for transportation. If you wish,
this little gem can be discarded.

More than likely the monitor, remote and input jacks
are mounted in a plastic strip that fell loose when the
back was lifted. It slides into a slot cut into both
halves of the case and is sandwiched into position
when they are mated. Make sure it’s in place and no
wires are outside.

Replace the back screws, insert the batteries (if you
use them) and you’re in business. □

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 93

Software Review

PASCAL FUR Cm

KIT rnJCHQSVSTEKIS' PflSCflL/MT +

by Alan R. Miller

A major advantage of programming in a high-level
language such as Pascal, Fortran, or Basic is portability.
Programs developed on one type of computer can be
expected to run on a very different computer with little
or no change. Furthermore, these three languages are
similar in many respects. Consequently, a program
written in Fortran for an IBM/360 computer may be
readily adapted to run in Pascal on a Z80 microcomputer.

There are several factors that might dictate the
choice of a particular computer language for program
development. A very important consideration is the
clarity of the final source program. Computer programs
need to be revised, often by someone other than the
original programmer. Features that make a source pro-
gram readily understandable are extremely important.

The Pascal language excels in this regard. Identifiers
can be very long and may contain the underline character.

WEEKLY PAYROLL and

MONTHLY PAYROLL

Block structuring is based on the following blocks.

BEGIN

END

They can generally be used anywhere. Several loop
constructions are available. These include the following.

WHILE ... DO

REPEAT . . . UNTIL and

FOR ... DO

A major disadvantage of Pascal, for microcomputer
applications, is the relative size of the compiler. Fortran
and Basic compilers typically require 25 to 30K bytes

of memory. Pascal compilers, on the other hand, are
much larger, often requiring 50K bytes or more.

There are three different CP/M versions of Pascal
that will run on an 8080 or Z80 microcomputer:
Pascal/M, Pascal/MT + , and JRT Pascal. In addition,
there is Pascal/Z, which requires a Z80 microcomputer,
and UCSD Pascal, which does not run under CP/M.
This month, we’ll take a look at Pascal/MT + by MT
Microsystems, Cardiff, CA.

Each of the 8080 versions has at least one unique
feature that should be considered. Pascal/M (reviewed
IA Sep 80) is very easy to use; new programs can be
written and debugged with minimal effort. The compiler
will usually flag the exact location of an error It is easy
to find and correct programming errors. The compiler,
its associated programs, and the user’s source program
will all fit on one single-density, 8-in. disk or on one,
double-density, 5-in. disk. The 32-bit floating-point
operations use a 7-digit mantissa and have a dynamic
range of 1 0 - 38 to 10 + 38.

JRT Pascal (reviewed IA May 81) uses 64-bit BCD
floating-point arithmetic. This arrangement provides 14
decimal digits of precision and a dynamic range of
10-64 to 10 + 64. The compiler and its associated
programs will fit onto a single disk.

Both the Pascal/M and the JRT Pascal compilers
generate an intermediate code (called P-code) that must
be interpreted by a runtime monitor. The Pascal/MT +
compiler, by contrast, produces a relocatable module
that is converted into binary 8080 machine code. The
resulting COM file can be directly executed by typing
its name at the command level. The result is greater
execution speed; Pascal/MT + programs will run con-
siderably faster than the others.

Another advantage of Pascal/MT + is the incorpora-
tion of two types of real numbers. Both BCD and binary

94 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

floating-point packages are provided. BCD arithmetic is
generally more suitable for business application. It pro-
vides freedom from roundoff error, but at the expense
of execution speed. Binary arithmetic, on the other
hand, is more desirable for scientific applications.
Pascal/MT + is unique because both types are provided.

The BCD package utilizes 80-bit, fixed-point opera-
tions that give 18 decimal digits of precision. This is

.3333334E-04 x
. 3333332E-06 x
. 3333330E-08 x
. 3333328E-10 x
. 3333327E-12 x
. 3333325E-14 x
. 3333323E-16 x
. 3333323E-18 x
. 1229780E+19 x
.1134271 E+ 17 x

. 3333333E-05
. 3333330E-07
. 3333329E-09
. 3333327E-11
. 3333325E-13
. 3333325E-15
. 3333323E-17
.000000 0 E- 1 8 1
. 1134271 E+ 18 ! !
.1134271 E+ 16 111

Figure 1 . Precision test of Pascal/MT +

x = 3 . 33333E-5
x = 3 . 33333E-7
x = 3 . 33333E-9
x = 3.33333E-11
x = 3 . 33333E-13
x = 3 . 33333E-15
x = 3 . 33333E-17
x = 3.33333E-19
x = 3 . 33333E-21
x = 3 . 33333E-23
x = 3 . 33333E-25
x = 3 . 33333E-27
x = 3. 33334 E- 29
x = 3 . 33334E-31
x = 3 . 33334E-33
x = 3. 33334 E- 35
x = 3. 33334 E- 37
x -

Floating point «
(error message

x = 3 . 33333E-6
x = 3 . 33333E-8
x = 3 . 33333E-10
x = 3.33333E-12
x = 3 . 33333E-14
x = 3 . 33333E-16
x = 3. 33333 E- 18
x = 3 . 33333E-20
x = 3 . 33333E-22
x = 3. 33333 E- 24
x = 3 . 33333E-26
x = 3 . 33334E-28
x = 3. 33334 E- 30
x = 3 . 33334E-32
x = 3. 33334 E- 34
x = 3 . 33334E-36
x = 3 . 33334E-38

ror

from compiler)

Figure 2. Precision test of Pascal/M

x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 04
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 06
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 08
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 10
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 12
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 14
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 16
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 18
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 20
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 22
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 24
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 26
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 28
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 30
x * +0.3333333333 3 333 E- 32
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 34
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 36
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 38
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 40
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 42
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 44
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 46
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 48
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 50
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 52
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 54
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 56
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 58
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 60
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 62
x = +0. 33333333333333 E+ 00
x - -0. 33333333333333 E+62

x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 05
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 07
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 09
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 11
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 13
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 15
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 17
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 19
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 21
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 23
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 25
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 27
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 29
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 31
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 33
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 35
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 37
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 39
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 41
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 43
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 45
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 47
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 49
x = + 0. 33333333333333 E- 51
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 53
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 55
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 57
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 59
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 61
x = +0. 33333333333333 E- 63
x = -0. 33333333333333 E+ 63 !
x = -0. 33333333333333 E+ 61 !!

Figure 3. Precision test of JRT Pascal

basically an integer representation that maintains four
digits past the decimal point. The floating-point package
uses 32 bits and is compatible with the AMD951 1 hard-

ware processor. Unfortunately, both the precision (5
decimal digits) and the dynamic range (10-17 to
10 + 17) are less accurate than the other Pascal

packages. MT Microsystems expressed a desire to

improve this, however.

A floating-point arithmetic package can be readily
tested with the Pascal program shown in the listing.
This short program generates a repeating decimal that
cannot be precisely represented by a computer. Then,
the result is repeatedly multiplied by the value of 0.1
and the result is displayed on the console. Eventually, a
floating-point underflow will occur. At this point, the
program should set the result to 0 or should terminate
the execution. This program was run with Pascal/MT + ,
Pascal/M and JRT Pascal. The corresponding results
are shown in figures 1 , 2, and 3.

With Pascal/MT + , roundoff error begins to appear
in the fifth decimal place. Furthermore, floating point
underflow occurs at 10-19. Unfortunately, this does
not abort the program, so meaningless results are
returned. Thus, multiplying 0.33E- 18 by 0.1 produces
a result of OE-18. But, multiplying this value by 0.1
gives an incorrect answer of 0.12E + 19.

The Pascal/MT + package is very large, requiring six
single-density 5-in. diskettes for all routines. However,

PROGRAM test (output) ;

(* test range of floating point numbers *)
(* Copyright, Sybex, 1981 *)

VAR

i : integer;
x : real;

BEGIN

wr iteln;

x := 1.0E-4 / 3.0;

FOR i := 1 TO 40 DO
BEGIN

write ( 1 x =* , x) ;
x : = 0.1 * x ;
wr iteln ( 1 x = 1 , x ) ;
x := 0 . 1 * x
END

END.

Figure 4. A test of the floating point operations

not all of the programs are needed at any one time.
Some programs are used during the compiling step,
while others are needed during the linking step. In
addition, there is a disassembler and a debugger that
may not be needed at all.

The compiler and linker can be placed on one
diskette. The overlay routines just fit a second, 5-in.
double-density diskette. The user’s source program
and the resulting REL file and executable binary file
can then reside on a third diskette. Only two disks are
needed with 8-in. drives.

An extensive list of compiler errors in the user’s
manual are identified by number. Both Pascal/M and
Pascal/MT + utilize these numbers for most of the
compiler error messages. For example, an undeclared
variable is indicated by error number 104. This greatly
simplifies the identification of errors that might occur
during the compiling step.

The 3-character extension name that is a part of all
CP/M filenames is usually chosen to reflect the nature
of the contents of each file. Thus, BAS is used for
Basic files, FOR for Fortran files, and ASM for
assembler files. The extension of PAS is typically
chosen for Pascal source files. Unfortunately, the
Pascal/MT + compiler first looks for a file extension of
SRC (for source). If that can’t be found, it then looks

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 95

SOFTWARE HOLDUP ?

Photo: Dimmick's Doubles

TIRED OF HIGH PRICES & NO SERVICE ?
Quality Software

Apple II - TRS-80 - Tl 99/4 - Apple III

Creative Discount Software
256 South Robertson, Suite 2156
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

CALL for our Catalog TOLL FREE 800-824-7888

Alaska/Hawaii 800-824-7919
Operator 831 California 800-852-7777

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 55

You’ve got a BRAIN—

USE IT!

SYSTEMS INTEGRATION sets new standards with SUPER-IOS™,
an advanced CPM* compatible operating system, designed
specifically to take advantage of the SUPERBRAINt hardware

NEW STANDARD FEATURES INCLUDE:

REAL-TIME-CLOCK: Set/Read DATE/TIME,

ADVANCED KEYBOARD FEATURES: FULL TYPOMATIC action
on ALL KEYS, TYPEAHEAD, USER PROGRAMMABLE KEYPAD
ADVANCED SCREEN FEATURES: Character and Line Insert/De-
lete, Read Cursor, Read Character at Cursor, Read CRT Pointer,
SCROLL UP/DOWN, WINDOWED SCREEN CONTROL, SET
TOP/BOTTOM, SCREEN Printing.

DISK ENHANCEMENTS: including AUTO select for 128/512 byte
diskettes, Full File control, Link to program, Auto search
COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENTS: MAIN Port is buffered for
enhanced telecommunications
SPOOLING is Standard!

PLUS OVER TWO DOZEN UTILITY Programs!!!!!!!

All of this for ONLY $175!

SYSTEMS INTEGRATION also provides a full line of software and
hardware systems for wordprocessing, telecommunications and
general business applications.

We also carry the full line of LIFEBOAT & INFOSOFT software.

HARDDISK and OEM design support available

Prepaid COD. Mastercharge or VISA orders accepted. Shipping extra.
NY residents add 8% tax.

for an extension of PAS. There is a potential conflict if
you sometimes use Pascal/Z, since this compiler
generates files with the extension of SRC.

One nice feature of Pascal/MT + is modular com-
pilation. Very large programs can be separated into
smaller portions and separately compiled. They are
then combined with a small linking loader into an
executable binary file.

It allows assembly-language statements to be placed
directly inline, between regular Pascal source state-
ments. This feature can be used to generate permanent,
local variables in procedures and functions. Since local
variables are cleared at the conclusion of a procedure
or function, they cannot be used to store a seed for a
random number generator. In this case, the old seed
can be retrieved from a memory location by using an
8080 LHLD instruction. Then the new seed can be
stored back into the memory location with an 8080
SHLD instruction.

Standard Pascal includes the predefined data types
of real, integer, boolean and character. Pascal/MT +
additionally includes the types of string, byte, and word.

With standard Pascal, a sting variable is defined as
an array of characters.

VAR

STRING1 : ARRAY[1 . .5] OF CHAR;

STRING1 := ‘ABODE’;

But the length is then fixed to its declared value of 5 in
this case. The variable cannot be shorter or longer. By
contrast, the dynamic string type is implemented in
Pascal/MT + (and Pascal/M). In this case, strings can
be variable in length just as they are in Basic.

VAR

STRING1 : STRING’

STRiNGI := ‘ABC’;

Pascal/MT + also has a set of built-in routines for
manipulating string variables. The LENGTH function
can be used to determine the actual length of a string,
the CONCAT function is used to concatenate strings,
and the POS function finds substrings of characters.

Additional built-in routines can be used to manipulate
bytes and bits or to shift blocks of data. The EXIT
routine addresses one of the deficiencies of Pascal.
When an error condition is discovered in a procedure,
it should be possible to set an error flag and then return
directly to the calling program. But there is no easy
way to do this in standard Pascal. The Pascal/MT +
EXIT routine can be used for this purpose. Pascal/M
has a similar feature but the format is different.

Pascal/MT + makes several passes through the
source code during the compiling step. Because of
this arrangement, procedures may be nearly any
length. By contrast, a single-pass compiler such as
Pascal/M requires each procedure to be less than 1 28
bytes in length.

Earlier versions of Pascal/MT were very incomplete. If
you tried one and were disappointed, consider the latest
version. It contains almost all of the standard features,
as well as some additional items. Your CP/M system
should be at least 52K bytes, though. Pascal/MT +
seems to be a very desirable package. □

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 3

96 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 78

JULY 1981

NEVER
PAY FOR SOFTWARE AGAIN

FOR ONLY $375.00
RE-SELL THESE SIX PACKAGES,
UNDER YOUR NAME. . . . FOREVER!

HERE’S THE STORY

O.E.M. Software is making a change in direction from basic account-
ing applications to new marketplaces. As a result of this move, we
are offering the non-exclusive marketing rights to our fully integrated
accounting packages for $375. What you’ll get are 5 diskettes of
CBASIC 2 source code and over 250 pages of user documentation
ready for your company or store name. You may reproduce and sell
this package to end-users as many times as you like. These packages
should be just the thing to help you close hardware sales, start a deal-
ership or solve your company’s accounting challanges.

SUGGESTED USES

• Offer this software under
your company or store name

A perfect start-up package
for dealers and distributors

• Customize the packages to • Offer as a low cost option
solve your unique require- to help close hardware sales
ments

• A high profit alternative to • Use them to handle your own

traditional software offerings accounting challenges

YOU GET ALL 6 PACKAGES FOR
A ONE-TIME PRICE OF $375.00

Send your certified check for $375.00 to:
O.E.M. Software, 18051 Crenshaw Blvd.,
Suite F, Torrance, CA 90504

Name.

Company.
Address

Hardware/Model No.j
/

Disk Type

State/Zip.
Phone

Or call: (213) 538-4519

WHAT’S

INCLUDED?

(limited!

OFFER

• GENERAL LEDGER

Chart of Account Listings
Receipts & Disbursements Journals
Trial Balance

Balance Sheet-Income Statement
Budget Analysis

• ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE

Order Entry

Prints Invoices

Aging (30-60-90 Days)

Automatic Posting to G.L.

• ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Creates Purchase Orders
Cash Requirements Report
Prints Checks
Automatic Posting to G.L.

• PAYROLL

Payroll Register
Prints Checks
FDIC Form 501
941’s and W2’s
Automatic Posting to G.L.

• INVENTORY

Raw and Finished Goods
Status Reports
Inventory Alert Reports

• FIXED ASSET

All Capital Goods
5 Different Depreciation Methods
Depreciation Report (IRS Form 4562)

• MAILING LIST

Labels and Lists

By Customer, Vendor or Employee

• FULL DOCUMENTATION

REQUIRES:

48K - C BASIC 2

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. S’.

INTERFACE AGE 97

Bulletin Board

by David D. Busch

Those who communicate with other computer owners
through The Source, Micronet, or various group
systems find that the community bulletin board feature
is one of the most interesting and useful aspects of
such a system. Messages can be posted for later pick-
up by a specified recipient— or more general “to whom
it may concern” broadsides offer the opportunity to
make public announcements.

The same concept can also be applied on a smaller
scale. If your computer spends a great deal of time just
sitting there waiting for the next programming session,
you can put it to work as a single-system bulletin board.
Members of your household/office/organization can
glance at the CRT screen throughout the day, post
messages for others, and retrieve their own through
the accompanying program.

A modicum of security is built into the program.
Messages are filed either for retrieval by “anyone”, or
in the name of a specified authorized recipient, who
has previously entered a password of his or her own
choice. If the personalized mode is selected, only
those who can supply their personal password can
retrieve a message intended for their eyes. In the
general, mode, a bulletin can be posted for retrieval by
anyone interested in reading it. Each message auto-
matically includes the time of day in which it was filed.

The program was written for a disk-based TRS-80
model I. It will run under TRSDOS, NEWDOS 2.1, or
NEWDOS 80, although TRSDOS users will have to turn
on their machine’s real time clock before loading
the program. Security of the messages is provided

by disabling the BREAK key once the program is run.
This prevents the casual outsider from intercepting the
items posted.

When the program is first run, the real-time clock is
turned on through a CMD “Clock” (NEWDOS only—
TRSDOS users perform this step manually, and delete
line 70). Then, the user is asked to supply the current
hour (HR) and minutes (MN). These are POKED into the
appropriate memory locations by the time-setting
routine (lines 70-170).

Next, the BREAK key is disabled. TRSDOS, NEWDOS
2.1 , and NEWDOS 80 users should select the approp-
riate line from 190-210, and delete the other two, or
by-pass them with REMs.

The start-up menu is displayed. An existing message
file may be loaded from disk (line 240). Use of this disk
storage file allows shutting off the computer, or
applying it to other tasks without losing the messages
entered so far. Alternatively, the bulletin board may be
started with a “clean” slate. Next a choice is offered
between turning the bulletin board on, and adding new
authorized users to the current file. Regardless of
which option is selected, the program first loads the
existing user and password files, which are stored in a
sequential disk file called USERS. The number of users
currently in the file (US) is first input from the disk
(line 370), and then a FOR-NEXT loop of one to US
loads the users’ names and passwords into a pair of
string arrays, USER$(n) and PW$(n).

If additional authorized users are to be input (lines
450-510), US is incremented by one, and a name and

98 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

password can be entered. Then, the new file is saved
to disk in a routine at lines 530-600.

The bulletin board is activated at line 620. If no
messages have been entered, this information is flashed
on the CRT screen. Otherwise (MFLAG>0), the names
of those for whom notes have been filed are displayed,
along with the total number of messages that are
waiting in the file. An INKEY$ strobing loop looks at the
keyboard for input while the bulletin board is in its
“wait” mode, and drops down to a retrieval/file message
menu (lines 760-860) when any key is pressed.

An error trap returns the program to its wait state if
an attempt is made to retrieve messages when none
are filed, or if someone enters an incorrect password.

When a new note is to be entered into the file, NM,
the number of messages in the file, is first incremented
by one (line 1140), so that the next item entered will be
placed in the next position in the array MS$(n), which
stores the messages at MS$(NM).

Access for one or all

First, a list of current users plus the wild-card
“Anyone” are printed to the screen. The recipient of
the note is indicated by entering the number opposite
that person’s name. The message, which may include
commas and other string delimiters, is LINEINPUT.
Each note can total 255 characters— approximately
246 for the message itself, and eight for the time at
which the message was filed. These eight characters,
e.g. 12:40:15, are appended onto the end of each
message automatically (lines 1330-1340). The
message string, name of recipient, and that recipient’s
password are loaded into MS$(NM), NM$(NM) and
RT$(NM) respectively. The only exception is when
bulletins are designated for availability to “Anyone”. In
this case, a null password is assigned (line 1350). The
person filing a message never sees the recipient’s
password, and so is unable to retrieve his own bulletin
once it has been filed.

When a user has elected to retrieve messages,
control branches to line 880, where a FOR-NEXT loop
lists the intended recipients for all the messages in the
file. Every 10 messages, the computer pauses (see
line 910), before clearing the screen and presenting
the next series of up to 10 message-recipients.

To access (or attempt to access) a bulletin, the
retriever enters the number of the message. The pro-
gram then asks for the password, if one is required
(line 1 040), and lists the note to the screen if a proper

match is achieved. Otherwise, the bulletin board waiting
mode is resumed.

Like most security systems for personal computers,
the one built into this program will stymie only the
unsophisticated or casual user. First, although BREAK
is disabled, the computer can be re-booted normally
through use of the reset key. This step assumes that
copies of a DOS disk are nearby, or can be provided by
the eavesdropper. One simple method of preventing
regaining control of the computer through a reset is
simply to lock up the diskettes, or remove and hide the
disk drive connecting cords.

But, assuming that the computer can be reset and
re-booted, a nefarious security-cracker, using Basic,
can get the program back and examine the listing
without executing a RUN (which would re-initialize
variables, and erase the messages currently in memory
—and, of course, re-disable the BREAK key). From the
listing it would then be a simple step to find the signifi-
cant variables, and enter PRINT MS$(1), MS$(2), etc.
in command mode to read each message. Alternatively,
the security-breaker could use appropriate GOTOs to
read in the disk file containing the passwords, and learn
all the passwords for the authorized users. Then,
messages could be retrieved at leisure on each future
visit to the machine.

I point up the ways around the protection measures
only to head off any false feelings of security. In the
typical microcomputer environment, absolute integrity
of such messages is not a high-priority item. The
password feature merely makes the program more
interesting to use.

The program probably functions best in a household
or small office where there are only a few authorized
users, or where most messages will be of the “to
whom it may concern” variety. The TRS-80’s screen
can display only a dozen or so users as this program is
written, without some minor re-writing of a few lines.
The simplest way to print more names to the screen at
once is to add a STEP 2 to the display loops, such as
the one in lines 1150-1170, and then have both

USER$(N3) as well as USER$(N3 + 1) printed to the
screen on the same line. Use TABS to separate the
two. STEP 3, and USER$(N3 + 2) can be added to print
three columns of names.

Another useful enhancement would be to add a means
of deleting a message once it has been retrieved— but
don’t allow broadside notes intended for “anyone” to

be killed □ Program on page 1 52

REAL ESTATE SOFTWARE

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PMS)

PMS is the most comprehensive income property management system developed for a microcomputer. It includes a full general
ledger, accounts receivable (tenants), budgeting, checkwriter and many additional features PMS was designed to meet IREM
requirements. Price: $650, demonstration diskette $35.00

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (RPM)

RPM has most of the features of PMS but designed for one unit properties like houses or condominiums One or several common
checking accounts can be used. Price $650.00, demonstration diskette and manual $35 00

MINI-WAREHOUSES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (MWS)

MWS has many of the PMS features but designed for one common general ledger. Each renter has his own file including home address
for mailings. Price $650

PROPERTY ANALYSIS SYSTEM (PAS)

PAS is a system for modeling and projecting cash flow, appreciation, tax considerations, future equity, etc. for all types of income
properties. This program was designed for the sophisticated investor. Price $250 00

All programs written in CBASIC under CP/M T and compatible with TRS-80II For additional information please contact

A-T Enterprises • 221 N. Lois • La Habra, CA 90631 • 213/947-2762

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 6

INTERFACE AGE 99

If you’ve ever had the experience of discovering a
problem in one of your programs that you thought was
bug-free, you know the value of including extensive
commenting in Basic programs— either because the
REMarks helped you out of trouble, or because, without
them, it took twice the time.

Trouble is, REMarks take memory space when a pro-
gram is running, but contribute absolutely nothing to
your computer’s understanding of what to do. As a
general rule, we like to leave as much RAM as possible
free to hold text, variables, arrays and so on. Fortunately
computerists can have their remarks — and the RAM
space they require.

CP/M’s ED provides a quick and easy way to “strip”
a program of its REMarks in just a few minutes. And
while other text-editing programs may be preferable for
most uses because of their visual feedback, ED does
provide some powerful commands that, once under-
stood, can do the stripping job in minutes.

The accompanying listings provide the detail, but, in
a nutshell here’s the sequence:

1 ) The program to be edited must be saved in ASCII
mode. In Microsoft Disk Basic:

SAVE “PROGNAME”,/5l

2) In CP/M, start the process by commanding:

ED PROGNAME.BAS

3) When ED prompts *:

#AB<carriage return>

(see listing for explanation and example.)

4) B<cr>

5) #S’** A Z*** A Z<cr>

(or a variation of this; see listing 2.)

100 INTERFACE AGE

6) B<cr>

7) #MJ’ A Z A Z A L A Z<cr>

(Listing 3)

8) B<cr>

9) #MF ’ A L A Z — 1 LI K<cr>

(Listing 4)

10) B<cr>

11) #S’ A Z A Z<cr>

(Listing 5)

12) B<cr>

13) #S*** A Z’ A Z<cr>

(Listing 6)

14) E<cr>

Presuming that everything is working properly, this
sequence will leave you with pre-protected jump-target
REM lines intact, but all other comments stripped from
the program. On the disk, you’ll have PROGNAME.BAS
as the stripped program, and PROGNAME.BAK as the
unstripped program.

You may still worry that your machine doesn’t have
enough memory to hold a really large program and its
comments, but you can solve this by writing in struc-
tured program form, debugging as you go, and saving
block sections of your programs with REMarks intact,
never assembling a fully commented version until you’ve
finished. Then, regardless of the size of available
memory, you can use CP/M PIP to concatenate (link)
the pieces, with and without comments. □

Program on page 156

JULY 1981

PRODIGY:

. . Though it may look like many other micro-
computer systems — PRODIGY ONE literally
speeds away from them . . Max Schindler,
Software Editor — ELECTRONIC DESIGN.

Every so often an individual is born exhibiting
extraordinary talent at a very early age. Often, .
they rise above the multitude, establishing them-
selves as a master in their field. This individual is
called a PRODIGY.

The PRODIGY computer is so advanced, it clearly
establishes itself as a master in the field of small
business computing.

Modular design and single board construction
mean reliability, expandability, and ease of
service.

But it is SOFTWARE which truly sets PRODIGY
apart. Unlike other computers, software was a
major design consideration rather than an after-
thought. PRODIGY utilizes a highly advanced
operating system and PROTEGE* to provide
some very impressive features:

■ DATA BASE MANAGEMENT ■ INDEXED FILES

■ VIRTUAL CODE ■ SPOOLING

■ DATA COMPRESSION ■ MULTI-TASKING

The result? Incredible performance and inexpen-
sive software development.

Your local PRODIGY dealer maintains an exten-
sive library of field proven application software.
Available applications include General Ledger,
Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Payroll,
Medical Billing, and a remarkable system for the
Personnel Placement Industry. All are easy to use,
yet provide a level of sophistication unheard of in
its price class. And PRODIGY also does Word
Processing!

PRODIGY systems are supported by a nationwide
organization of thoroughly trained, experienced
professionals. Your PRODIGY dealer is a SINGLE
source for hardware, software and a level of
service that continually insures effective, trouble
free operation*

Speed, sophistication, and low cost; an incredible
combination for a small business computer.

Would you expect less from a PRODIGY?

SYSTEMS, INC.

497 LINCOLN HIGHWAY • ISELIN, N.J. 08830 • (201 ) 283-2000 C|RCLE |NQU|RY N0 69

PRODIGY and PROTEGE are trademarks of PRODIGY SYSTEMS, INC.

* Prodigy's easy to use compiler-based small business applications development Ian guage Prodigy also supports other popular languages such as FORTRAN. COBOL. BASIC, and PASCAL

HARDWARE

COMPONENTS 103

CPU/MEMORY 104

DATA COMMUNICATIONS 108

I/O 112

MISCELLANEOUS 116

PERIPHERALS 118

SYSTEMS 120

TOOLS & TEST 126

SOFTWARE

BUSINESS 128

EDUCATIONAL 132

GAMES 134

SYSTEMS 135

UTILITY 136

102 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

HARDWARE

COMPONENTS

Limited distance modem is designed for
asynchronous operation over TELCO or
private 2- and 4-wire non-loaded metallic
(twisted-pair) conductors at speeds up to
9600 bps. It can be used in both point-to-
point and multidrop network configurations
and is ideally suited for local data distribution
up to 7 miles using conventional 26-gauge
wire. Features of the model 6210 provide
internal strap selections for constant or
controlled RTS, high or low transmit level,
2-or 4-wire operation, and normal or high
receiver impedance. The modem employs a
pulse modulation scheme that varies the

transmit signal polarity on a balanced line.
Transmit and receive lines are transformer
coupled; therefore, no DC continuity is
required. Its data terminal equipment inter-
face meets EIA RS-232 and CCITT V.24
specifications and the transmitted signal
level conforms to Bell Canada “Requirement
for Connection of Equipment to Private
Metallic Circuits” and A.T.&T. Pub. 43401.
A 20 mA TTY current loop interface is also
available. Price: $300. International Data
Sciences, Inc., 7 Wellington Rd., Lincoln, Rl
02865, (401) 333-6200.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 225

Coils use a patented process that results in
absolutely uniform and hermetically sealed
encapsulated coils with a lead pull strength
equal to the tensile strength of the lead wire

itself. In many cases the coll design can
incorporate design features for mounting.
B.W. Darrah, Inc., 538 Randy Rd., Carol
Stream, IL 60187, (312) 690-8810.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 226

Miniaturized switch, measuring .700 by
.700 by .472 inches, offers a choice of basic
switch model assembly including either in-
line, L formation, modules fixed or sliding on
the shaft, modules spaced and linked by the
control shaft, or with modules separately

controlled by concentric shafts. It matches
the available space on a printed circuit board
independent of the control knob. The MIL
series offers a shorting-non shorting contact
and has nominal voltage of 50 V RMS. The
mechanical life expectancy of the switch is
50,000 operations in 1 circuit and 12
positions. It can withstand temperatures from
-40°F to + 185°F ( - 40 °C to + 85°C).
Price: $6.20 per section (1,000 piece lots).
ITT Schadow, Inc., 8081 Wallace Rd., Eden
Prairie, MN 55344, (612) 934-4400.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 227

Modem ICs, the SL1 13A and SL1 13B, are
originate and answer modem ICs capable of
operating at up to 300 baud from 5 VDC
supplies. Designed to interface between the
UART and line coupler, these ICs will simplify

design of Bell-compatible communications
systems. Price: $95. Scientific Systems
Laboratories, 2031 E. Cerritos, Ste. 7J,
Anaheim, CA 92806, (714) 776-5003.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 228

Disk controller card, compatible with a
multiplexed bus to permit high chip densities,
features a type 1793 disk controller chip
capable of controlling up to four 5% -In. or
8-in. soft sectored drives, either single,
double (5 Va -in. only) or a mix of both
densities. The compact 4VHn. sq. card is

compatible with the multiplexed N-44 bus for
optimum chip density. To minimize error
rates, the Synapse DDC-10 disk controller
incorporates a high reliability, phase lock
loop data recovery circuit. It is compatible to
the N-44 bus which uses a 44-pin edge
connector with 0.156-in. spacing pins and
an 8-bit databus multiplexed with the lower 8
bits of the address. Price: $395. Synapse
Corp., 199 Main St., N. Falmouth, MA
02556, (617) 563-2267.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 229

16K dynamic RAMs with single 5 volt
power supply requirements and access
times as fast as 1 00 nS consists of two parts
—the MB8117 and MB8118. Both are
available with either a 100-nS access time
and a 235-nS cycle time, or with a 1 20-nS

access time and a 270-nS cycle time.
Features of the new MB81 1 7/MB81 1 8 family
include: maximum power dissipation of 182
milliwatts (active) and 19.5 milliwatts (stand-
by); voltage tolerance of ±10% on 5 volt
supply; on-chip bias generator; standard
16-pin DIP housing; Read-Modify-Write,
RAS-only refresh, hidden refresh and Page-
Mode capability; TTL-compatible inputs, and
JEDEC-approved pin-out. The RAMs are ideal

for high-speed, high-performance applications
such as mainframe memory, buffer memory,
peripheral storage and environments where
low power application and compact layout
are required. In addition, their pin-out design
makes it possible to upgrade to 64K RAM
with only minor modifications. Fujitsu Micro-
electronics, 2945 Oakmead Village Court,
Santa Clara, CA 95051, (408) 727-1700.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 230

Speech synthesizer chip that combines
electronic generated phonemes to produce
unlimited vocabulary, the SC-01, is now
available in low-volume quantities. A phonetic
speech synthesizer has flexible vocabulary:
i.e. words and phrases are not limited to a
pre-defined amount or format as they are
with synthesizers that reconfigure words
and phrases from pre-recorded human voice
tracts. Customers for the SC-01 chip can

custom design their own vocabulary via a
unique vocabulary development system that
contains an algorithm which automatically
translates English text into phonemes. The
SC-01 chip requires fewer bits, or digital
codes, to produce intelligible speech. One
second of speaking time requires only 70-1 00
bits of memory with the chip. Price: under
$37.50 per unit. Vortrax Inc., 500 Stephen-
son Hwy., Troy, Ml 48084. (800) 521-1350.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 231

Interface cable assemblies for inter-
connecting data terminal equipment and data
communications equipment, feature a Belden
25-conductor shielded cable in lengths from
5 to 70 ft., and shielded male or female
subminiature D connectors at each end
mounted within a special molded handle. The
completely shielded design protects signals

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 103

from external EMI/RFI, reducing bit error
rate and maximizing system performance.
Shielding also minimizes signal radiation
from the cable assembly, and potential inter-
ference with nearby electronic devices.
Cable specifications for Type 33 general-
purpose shielded RS-232C assemblies:
22-ga. stranded tinned copper conductors;
overall Duofoil foil-film-foil shield with drain
wire; color-coded PVC insulation; chrome

PVC jacket, 0.395 in. OD; nominal capaci-
tance, 35 pF/ft.; nominal impedance, 50
ohms; working voltage, 150 vdc; and UL
style 2576. Type 33 general purpose RS-
232C cable assemblies are offered in ten
standard constructions in lengths of 5,
10, 25, 50, and 70 ft. with male/male and
male/female terminations. Price: from
$21.06 (5 ft.). Belden Corp., Interconnect
Systems Operation, 105 Wolfpack Rd.,
Gastonia, NC 28052

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 232

Modem 1C, the SL1200, an advanced 1C,
operates as an FSK modem for data rates to
1200 baud. Containing a continuous phase,
sinusoidal FSK modulator and a balanced
demodulator, the element performs binary

conversion to telephone carrier signal and
reconversion into binary form. The unit
operates at 5.0 VDC. Price: $95. Scientific
Systems Laboratories, 2031 E. Cerritos, Ste.
7J, Anaheim, CA 92806, (714) 776-5003.
CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 233

CPU/MEMORY

Memory expansion system, Axlon 256,
increases storage capacity of the Atari 800
computer from 48K of RAM up to 256K,
providing a 500% expansion of the RAM
currently available in the Atari system. The
system is plug-in compatible with the Atari
800. Installation is accomplished by inserting
the system interface card into the second
RAM slot in the 800 and the PIA control
cable into the Atari control jack. All interface
hardware is included with the system and no
modifications are required. The system
comes with two 32K RAMCRAM modules

and additional modules can be added until
the full 256K capacity is achieved. Atari RAM
modules can also be used in the system.
Price: $895. Axlon Inc., 170 N. Wolfe Rd.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086, (408) 730-0216.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 234

Data cartridge system, HCD-75, gives a 4
by 6-in. data cartridge more than twice the
capacity of a 2,400-ft. reel of Vfe-in.,
1 ,600-bpi computer tape or dozens of floppy
disks. The drive system and its cartridge
provide 67M bytes of user data storage
capacity (total unformatted tape capacity of
144M bytes). This capacity, coupled with a
continuous information transfer rate of
1 7.5K bytes per second, makes the system
the ideal backup for fixed disk drives, such
as the %-in. and 14-in. Winchester type disk
drives. Formatting at 4,096 1 ,024-byte

blocks per track (16 tracks 65,536 blocks
total) allows any block position on the tape to
be addressed from a single 16-bit word.
Length of spacing between keys gives added
protection when overwriting and also in-
creases the margin for interchange between
machines in cases where one machine is on
the low side of specs and the second
machine is on the high side of specs. This
change is designed to accommodate worse
case conditions. Price: $2,800. 3M Data
Products, Dept. MN81-18, 223-5E, 3M
Center, St. Paul, MN 55101.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 235

Fully static memory board, the RAM 1 7,

is the highest density static RAM for the
S-1 00/IEEE 696 bus on a standard 5-in. high
board. It has 64K of memory and runs with
6 MHz Z80s and 10 MHz 8086/88s, lower
power dissipation, freedom from alpha
particle soft-bit errors, and problem free
DMA operation. The RAM 1 7 meets all the

IEEE 696 specifications including 24 bit
addressing which allows up to 1 6M bytes of
system memory. It may be addressed on any
64K page boundary and can be disabled in
16K blocks. The upper 8K block can also
have 2K windows disabled to allow for
memory mapped peripherals. The board
uses the 2K by 8-bit static RAM chips that

■■■■■■■■■■■

are pin-compatible with 2716 type EPROMs.

This allows up to 32K of EPROM to intermix
with the RAM if desired. The RAM 17 is
available in unkit, assembled and tested, or
certified system component high reliability
program. Prices: $1 ,095, $1 ,395 and $1 ,595
respectively. CompuPro division of Godbout
Electronics, P.O. Box 2355, Oakland Airport,

CA 94614, (415) 562-0636.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 236

Floppy disk controller boards are for use

in SS 50 bus, 6809 and 6800 microcomputer
systems. The DMA disk controller uses high
speed direct memory access for data
transfers to and from system memory. It
supports any combination of drives, 8-in. and
5-in.; single and double headed; single and
double track (48 and 96 TPI); single and
double density; up to 4 drives total. The
board features both a phase-locked loop
data separator and adjustable write
precompensation to insure high reliability,

and can be used in 6809 systems running at
1, 1.5, and 2 MHz. The double density PIO
controller supports up to four 5-in., single
and double headed; single and double track;
single and double density drives. The board
also features a phase-locked loop data
separator, and adjustable write precompen-
sation. In systems that have slow I/O circuitry
on the motherboard, it can be used at 1 , 1 .5,
and 2 MHz. Price for disk controller: $548;
for PIO controller: $348. Gimix, 1337 W.
37th PI., Chicago, IL 60609, (312) 927-5510.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 237

Non-volatile memory boards for S-1 00

systems feature high speed CMOS RAM
ICs, on-board batteries, and proprietary
write-protection circuitry. The result is a
degree of data security approaching an
EPROM board with the fast access and con-
venience of high speed RAM. A software

programmable “write-protect window” allows
parts of the program, or selected data, to be
changed without any risk of accidentally
writing over protected data. For further data
security, the boards generate an interrupt
when a power drop is detected, enabling the
system to store critical data quickly before

104 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

META TECHNOLOGIES

26111 Brush Avenue, Euclid Ohio 44132

CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-321-3552 TO ORDER

IN OHIO, call (216) 289-7500 (COLLECT)

FILE BOX

DISKETTE STORAGE SYSTEM

$29.95

for 5V4” disks
. for 8” disks

MTC brings you the ULTIMATE diskette
storage system, at an affordable price. Stor-
ing 50 to 60 diskettes, this durable, smoke-
colored acrylic unit provides easy access
through the use of index dividers and ad-
justable tabs. Unique lid design provides
dust-free protection and doubles as a carry-
ing handle.

MICROPA RA PHERNA LI A

DISKETTES (box of ten)

5 1 /*” PLAIN JANE™ $21.95

5 l /4” PLAIN JANE™ fioU $25.95

5‘/4" DATALIFE™ MD 525-01 . . $26.95
8 " DATALIFE™ FD34-8000 .... $43.95

NEWDOS by APPARAT

NEWDOS/80 by Apparat $149.95

NEWDOS + to

NEWDOS/80 UPGRADE CALL

NEWDOS + with ALL UTILITIES

35-track $69.95

40-track $79.95

BOOKS

TRS-80™ DISK

AND OTHER MYSTERIES . . $19.95
MICROSOFT™ BASIC DECODED $29.95
1001 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR

PERSONAL COMPUTER .... $ 7.95

‘RINGS’ &
THINGS

Help prevent data loss and media damage
due to improper diskette centering and
rotation with the FLOPPY SAVER™ rein-
forcing hub ring kit. 7-mil mylar rings in-
stall in seconds. Kit is complete with
centering tool, pressure ring, 25 adhesive
backed hub rings and instructions.

HUB RING KIT for 5VV’ disks $10.95

HUB RING KIT for 8 ” disks $12.95

REFILLS (50 Hub Rings) $ 5.95

Protect your expensive disk drives and
your valuable diskettes with our diskette
drive head cleaning kit. The kit, consisting
of a pair of special “diskettes”, cleaning
solution and instructions, can be used for
52 cleanings. Removes contamination
from recording surfaces in seconds
without harming drives.

CLEANING KIT for 5VV’ drives $24.95

PLASTIC LIBRARY CASES

(not shown)

An economical form of storage for 10 to 15
diskettes, and is suitable for your bookshelf!
Case opens into a vertical holder for easy ac-
cess.

5 Vi -inch diskette case $3.50

8 -inch diskette case $3.95

Let Your TRS-80™ Test Itself With

THE FLOPPY DOCTOR &
MEMORY DIAGNOSTIC

by THE MICRO CLINIC

A complete checkup for your Model I. THE
FLOPPY DOCTOR completely checks every sec-
tor of 35- or 40-track disk drives. Tests motor
speed, head positioning, controller functions,
status bits and provides complete error logging.
THE MEMORY DIAGNOSTIC checks for proper
write/read, refresh, executability and exclusivity
of all address locations. Includes both
diagnostics and complete instruction manual.

SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS $19.95

An improved version of the SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTICS above. Designed for single
or double density, 35-, 40-, 77-, or 80-
track disk drives. Includes new and
modified tests. Features THE FLOPPY
DOCTOR, Version 3.0.

SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS-V3. . $24.95

Single Sided, Soft-Sectored 5 Vi -inch,
(for TRS-80™) Mini floppy

DISKETTES

$21

box of 10

These are factory fresh, absolutely first
quality (no seconds!) mini-floppies. They are
complete with envelopes, labels and write-
protect tabs in a shrink-wrapped box.

PLAIN JANE™

DISKETTES
The Beautiful Floppy
with the Magnetic Personality™

Thousands of people have switched to this
low-cost alternative. These quality diskettes
are packaged in a plain white box ... no fan-
cy printing, fancy names or fancy labels, not
even our own (labels cost money). Trust us.

PLAIN JANE™ Diskettes $21.95

10 boxes of 10 (each box)$21.50

PLAIN JANE™ r S,M

Introducing MTC’s premium generic
diskette. Single-Sided, Soft-Sectored,
DOUBLE-DENSITY, SWinch diskettes with
reinforcing HUB-RINGS. Individually 100%
ERROR-FREE certified. Invest in GOLD!
PLAIN JANE™ <8<M $25.95

VERBATIM’S PREMIUM DISKETTES AT
AFFORDABLE PRICES

DATALIFE™

Seven data-shielding improvements mean
greater durability and longer data life.
These individually, 100% error-free cer-
tified diskettes feature thicker oxide
coating, longer-lasting lubricant, improved
liner, superior polishing and more! Meets
or exceeds IBM, Shugart, ANSI, ECMA
and ISO standards. Reinforcing HUB
RINGS help prevent data loss and media
damage, reducing errors.

Buy the best ... buy DATALIFE™
VERBATIM DATALIFE™ DISKETTES
5 Vi -inch (box of 10)

MD525-01 $26.95

10 boxes of 10 (each box)$25.95

8 -inch FLOPPIES

Double-Density, FD34-8000 . $43.95

CALL FOR INFORMATION ON
OTHER PRODUCTS

TRS-80 is a trademark of the
Radio Shack Division of Tandy
Corporation. DATALIFE is a
trademark of VERBATIM. PLAIN
JANE, AIDS-1, AIDS-Ill, CALCS-III,
CALCS-IV, MERGE-III are
trademarks of MTC.

MOST ORDERS
SHIPPED WITHIN
ONE BUSINESS DAY

Products damaged in
transit will be exchanged.

PRICES IN EFFECT
July 1, 1981 THRU
July 31, 1981,
Prices, Specifications,
and Offerings subject to
change without notice.

L 8107 .

WE ACCEPT

• VISA

• MASTER CHARGE

• CHECKS

• MONEY ORDERS

• COD.

•Add $3.00 for shipping
& handling

•$3.00 EXTRA for C.O.D.
•Ohio residents add 6 V 2 %
sales tax.

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 57

INTERFACE AGE 105

the main power supply fails. When power is
restored, the computer can resume operation
as if no power failure had occurred. With
access time of 250 nS, the boards run in
4 MHz S-100 systems such as North Star
and Cromemco with no wait states. Other
features include 8- or 16-bit data transfers,
bank select option, and extended memory
addressing through 24-bit address lines.
The batteries are guaranteed to keep
programs and data intact for one year. Prices
are $1,095 for the CMEM-32K with 32K
bytes of memory, $895 for the CMEM-16K
and $695 for CMEM-8K. Dual Systems Con-
trol Corp., 1825 Eastshore Hwy., Berkeley,
CA 94710, (415) 549-3854.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 238

Super expansion board is a high resolution
color graphics/memory expansion board for
the Ohio Scientific Superboard 11/Challenger
IP computers. The SEB incorporates the
following features on a 10-in. by 12-in. PC
board: 16K memory expansion; eleven soft-
ware selectable display modes with graphics
resolution of up to 256 by 192; up to eight

user selectable colors; 6K display memory;
8-bit parallel port w/handshake. The unit is
designed to mount/connect directly to the
computer without any user modifications.
Prices: assembled and tested, $249 (in-
cluding 5K RAM), or as a bare board
w/documentation, $59. Grafix, 91 1 Columbia
Ave., N. Bergen, NJ 07047.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 239

32K static memory board uses either
4044s, 6504s or equivalent 4K by 1 memory
chips. It uses dip switch selectable addressing
and I/O mapped extended addressing to
256K, organized as four 64K blocks. Each
block is enabled via a bit from an output port.
Any one of eight memory banks can be
located in any one of sixteen 4K boundaries
within a 64K block. On board battery backup
system can retain data for at least 72 hours
after system power has been removed.
Power fail signals can be used to disable the
board during power down. It has pullup
resistors on all address and chip select inputs
of the memory chips. It utilizes 4 MHz opera-
tion. VLSI Computer Systems, 650 S. Grand
Ave., Suite 714, Los Angeles, CA 90017,
(213) 623-8682.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 240

Memory card, Mega-4, is multibus com-
patible, satisfying the large memory require-
ments of high performance 8-bit (8085,
Z80A) and 16-bit (8086) microcomputer
systems. It contains up to 51 2K bytes of fast
read/write memory, a memory management
unit (MMU), distributed refresh and full parity
generating/checking circuitry. Byte-wide (8
bit) and word-wide (16 bit) data transfers are

supported and an advance acknowledge
signal (AACK/) is provided as a jumper option.
Worst cases of access time is 625 nS with
cycle time of 725 nS. The MMU consists of
two identical banks of 1 28 address translation
registers that are loaded by the system
CPU(s) to specify the mapping of the 64
physical memory segments (8K bytes per
segment) on board the Mega-4 into the 1 28
logical memory segments in the 1M byte
multibus address space. Six bits in each
MMU register specify the mapping of a given

segment and two bits specify the memory
segment attribute (i.e. read only, write only,
read/write or read/write disable). The MMU
gives 8086 based systems the same
segmented addressing as found in Z8000
systems. The unit is available in 32, 64, 1 28,
256 and 51 2K byte configurations and can
be populated with either 16K or 64K RAMs.
Matrox Electronic Systems Ltd., 5800
Andover Ave., T.M.R., Quebec, H4T 1H4,
Canada, (514) 735-1182.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 241

Static RAM board, 16K by 8, for the STD
bus is configured as two 8K by 8 blocks
addressable on any 8K boundary and will run
with 4 MHz processors. Proven static design
eliminates refresh and DMA problems. The
STD RAM-16 uses 2114 static RAM chips
and can also be populated with the Xicor

2214 shadow RAM/ROM memory chips
which allows the system to have as little as
1 K, or up to 16K of nonvolatile memory. It is
able to respond to the memory expansion
signal if greater than 64K system memory is
desired. Price: $325. CompuPro Division of
Godbout Electronics, P.O. Box 2355, Oak-
land Airport, CA 94614, (415) 562-0636.
CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 242

Static RAM module is designed for com-
patibility with the Exorciser-Micromodule
microprocessor bus. The 9637 is a 1 6K-byte
static random access module that utilizes
byte-wide CMOS static memory devices
supported by on-board batteries for data
retention during periods when system power
is absent. The data guard is generated on
the card and no external signals are required

to maintain data integrity during system
power transitions. It can be removed from
the system chassis and transported without
loss of data. The service life of the batteries
is sufficient to guarantee three years of data
retention before battery replacement. The
module is organized as two independent 8K
bytes. Each block can be selected to
operate at any 8K boundary by on-board
switches. The module can also decode four

additional address lines for use in memory
management systems. Typical access time
is 1 80 nS and is guaranteed to be less than
250 nS over the 0 to 70 °C operating
temperature range. The module typically
requires 2 watts of power from a single 5 Volt
supply. Price: $595. Creative Micro Systems,
11642-8 Knott St., Garden Grove, CA
92641, (714) 898-9669.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 243

Memory module, CI-S100, is designed
specifically for the Sol, Cromemco, North
Star, and other SI 00 bus microcomputers.
The dynamic RAM module requires no wait
states at 2 or 4 MHz. The new memory is
compatible with most SI 00 bus micro-
computers, including the Z80 at 4 MHz. The
CI-S100 is designed to plug directly into the
memory slots of most SI 00 microcomputers.
Features include expandability to VfeM byte
with a bank select feature. This feature allows

user to select up to eight 64K-byte memory
cards. On-board hidden refresh requires no
outside intervention making the CI-S100
look like a static RAM to the outside world,
even during block DMA write applications. It
is addressable in 4K increments up to 512
bytes of memory. It is available with battery
backup capability. Size is 5 in. by 10 in.
Price: $575 for 64K by 8. Chrislin Industries,
31352 Via Colinas, #102, Westlake Village,
CA 91361, (213) 991-2254.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 244

Bubble-memory system that is S-100
compatible is comprised of a single printed-
circuit controller module and one or more
bubble-memory modules. All have standard
S-100 dimensions, and can plug directly into
any S-100 system. The MBB-100 modules

106 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

> DATA

•[DYNAMICS

''TECHNOLOGY

Communicating
is the iVame
of the Came!

Only ONE directory compiles data on the
electronic and computer industries to give
you INSTANT access to any component,
equipment or peripheral supplier in America
. . . . and around the globe.

Here's a QUICK Analysis Showing
What E.l.T.D. Contains to Expand
Your Communications Network

1 . 8,000 Electronic manufacturers

2. 1 ,500 Computer and peripheral manufacturers

3. 2,500 Electronic distributors and outlets

4. 3,500 Independent representative organizations

5. 1 ,500 Foreign electronic and computer manufacturers

Every listing provides COMPLETE —

Name, Address, City, State and Zip Code also Direct Dial Telephone Number

WORLDWIDE ELECTRONIC YELLOW PAGES

Suppliers around the world are classified under 3,600 separate product and service headings
dealing with electronics and the computer industries. No directory equals this broad base of
suppliers. It enables you to BUY smarter and SELL smarter.

Order your 1980-81 copy
of E.l.T.D today. It will
enlarge your electronic
and computer world
immediately.

DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY P.0. Box 1217, Cerritos, CA 90701

Name (Print)

Address

City _

State .

.Zip.

Please send .

copy(ies) at $28.95 each Total $ .

*Tax $ .

Shipping & Handling $ _
visa’ i # Total Enclosed $ _

& Handling Charges
Foreign $4.50 es

Exp. date .

□ Check or M.O. (U.S. Funds drawn on U.S. bank)

Signature

For European delivery contact INTERFACE AGE Europe, Dahlienstr. 4. D-801 1 Munchen-Vaterstetten. West Germany.
‘California residents add 6% sales tax. Availabilty and prices quoted subject to change without notice.

Please allow six weeks for delivery. You may photocopy this page if you wish to keep your INTERFACE AGE intact.

Orders cannot be shipped unless accompanied by payment,
including shipping and handling and tax where applicable.

DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY, A Division of INTERFACE AGE Magazine (213) 926-9548

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 107

You can
now order
article
reprints
from this
publication

University Microfilms International,
in cooperation with publishers
of this journal, offers a highly con-
venient Article Reprint Service.

Single articles or complete issues
can now be obtained in their
original size (up to 8V2 x 1 1 inches).
For more information please com-
plete and mail the coupon below.

ARTICLE REPRINT
SERVICE

University Microfilms International

108 INTERFACE AGE

£ 8

£ 0) ?
£ u-o c
^ £ % CO

2 ©r? -

— -Q O

5 c 0>;=
^ 0)2

>» a.N -

.tr a)-c o

> o z

c rgc

3 <§<

can be housed in an external chassis. The
MBC-100 Bubbl-Board controller contains
its own 8-bit microprocessor and is capable
of controlling up to 16 MBB-100 Bubbl-Pacs.
The microprocessor handles bubble-device
formatting, error-checking and control, as
well as interfacing the complete bubble-
memory system to the S-100 bus. The con-
troller is full compatible with the CP/M
operating system; a CP/M-type software

driver is provided with the MBC-100. Each
MBB-100 Bubbl-Pac contains 46K bytes of
bubble-memory mass storage. After for-
matting, this is equivalent to about 320
floppy-disk sectors. With six MBB-100
Bubbl-Pac modules in the system, bubble-
memory storage is equivalent to the capacity
of a single-density floppy disk. Prices:
MBC-100 controller, $361; MBB-100, $772.
Bubbl-Tec, 6800 Sierra Ct., Dublin, CA
94666, (415) 829-8700.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 245

OATA COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone peripheral for Atari model
400/800 personal computer system is a
direct connect modem for Interfacing the
computer to the national telephone network.
Direct connection eliminates the need for
noisy and unreliable acoustic coupled
modems. The Microconnection is Bell 103
compatible and operates in the originate or
answer mode at 300 baud. It can be used for
accessing The Source, MicroNet, computer
bulletin boards and other computers for data
transfer with hundreds of data bases in this

country and Europe. The product does not
require the model 850. The modem is con-
nected to the model 800 computer console
data port and employs software for 300 baud
data I/O. Exclusive features include the in-
corporation of a serial printer interface via a
DB25 connector. Any printer, capable of 300
baud or more, will simultaneously reproduce
whatever appears on the screen. Included is
a terminal communications program, power
source and cable for interfacing to the Atari
800. The Microconnection measures 7.7 in.

wide by 5.5 in. deep by 1.7 in. high and
weighs less than one pound. Price: $249.
Microperipheral Corp., 2643 151st PI. N.E.,
Redmond, WA 98052, (206) 881-7544.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 246

Multiplexer for microcomputers trans-
forms 2-64 micros into powerful multi-user/
multi-function systems for business, financial
and educational applications. Constellation
allows lower cost front-end computers to
share more expensive mass storage and
printer peripherals. The system has a storage
capacity of 10-80 million bytes. It can start
with a low initial investment and be econom-
ically expanded as the user’s needs grow. It
operates not as a time-sharing system but as
an interactive network with full computer
power at each station. The system allows
each computer to access the disk storage as

though it were the only one connected and
will even operate with all computers active.
Compatible with most popular microcom-
puters, it allows an intermixing of models and
brands for maximum flexibility. Each computer
can use its own single-user operating system
with little or no modification. The multiplexer
has a burst data transfer rate of 60K bytes,
maximum link lengths of 50 feet and 8 bytes
of lockable keys. The mean-time-between-
failure (MTBF) of the Constellation is in
excess of 25,000 hours. Price: $750. Corvus
Systems, Inc., 2029 O’Toole Ave., San
Jose, CA 95131, (408) 946-7700.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 247

Communications option, BiSync, allows
interactive synchronous communication
between mainframe, mini or microcomputers.
Exactly emulating the IBM 2780 and 3780
terminals using binary synchronous protocol,
transmitting in ASCII or EBCDIC code,
BiSync enables data to be quickly and easily
transferred via 1200-9600 baud modems
over common telephone lines. Completely
contained within only 15K of memory, the
communications option supports check-sum
error detection to automatically recognize
transmission errors and immediately re-
transmit affected signals. Other special
features with the option include: transparency
/non-transparency; compression functions
to shorten records and transmission time
requirements; reverse interrupt for interactive
exchange between stations; unattended
operator features for answering or dis-
connecting calls; as well as a variety of user-
configurable options. Price: $450. Phase One
Systems, 7700 Edgewater Dr., Suite 830,
Oakland, CA 94621, (415) 562-8085.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 248

Acoustic modem with the direct IEEE 488
interface can be used with Hewlett Packard,
Tektronix and Commodore Pet computers.
IEEE/IEC functions supplied or supported by

JULY 1981

BATCH UPDATE/DELETE

Update Files - (Transaction is 11)

Files are: 1-B: TRANSACT 2-B : CUSTOMER 3-B:INVNT0RY

Batch Update Calls

Call# Using: File#/Name - Field#/Name, Call: File#/Narae - Fie
1; 1 TRANSACT 1 CUSTOMER # 2 CUSTOMER 9

2^ 1 TRANSACT 2 PART NUMBER 3 INVNTORY 1

PROCEDURE

1 If QUANTITY of (TRANSACT) EQ 0 then ...

SKIP

TOTAL PRICE of TRANSACT-QUANTITY of TRANSACT ‘SELLING EACH of INVNTORY

3 YEAR-TO-DATE of CUSTOMER-YEAR-TO-DATE of CUSTOMER+TOTAL PRICE of TRANSACT

ON-HAND of INVNTORY=*ON-HAND of INVNTORY-QUANTITY of TRANSACT

riie Ultimate Application Development System

Nothing can compete with the brain when it comes to information
orage capacity and speed of data entry and recall — but we're
or king at it.

Our SELECTOR-IV™ data base management system will let your
licrocomputer operate with the flexibility available (up to now) only
n larger systems. You can create, maintain and report on files
mited in size only by your *CP/M™ compatible operating system or
isk storage capacity.

The basis of the power of SELECTOR-IV™ is our unique method
f cross-indexing the information in your files. You can immediately
scall records by the contents of any piece of information required —
om account numbers to ZIP codes to the date of your last audit. You
an update records, individually or all at once. You can create new,
niquely, selected sub-files from existing ones (in the same or a
ifferent format), and perform computations in the process. You can
efine procedures to generate computed invoices, personalized
itters, or gummed labels with the information coming from several
les at once, and invoke them whenever needed. You can add new
ems to a record definition and change or delete them at will.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 59

!P/M is » registered trademark of Digital Research.

We've come a long way since we released the first information
management system in microcomputers. We've listened to your
suggestions and incorporated the best of them. We've built screen
editing functions into the system which make operating the system as
convenient as possible. We've had SELECTOR-IV's™ documentatior
produced by our experts emphasizing its use for the novice, the ap-
plications developer, as well as, the retailer. Our applications
specialists can provide you with a "turnkey" SELECTOR-IV™ systerr
customized for virtually any requirement.

With SELECTOR-IV™ and a .good
word processor program, chances
are you won't need any other software.

Look for SELECTOR-IV™ at
your local computer retailer, or call:

MICRO’AP, INC.

7000 Village Parkway
Dublin, CA 94566
(415) 626-6697

M TG BO *AP

the Star 488 are AH1 , SHI , T1 , LI and SRI .
Service request, initiated by a character
received in the modem, is supported allowing

interrogation by a serial poll from the IEEE
488 controller in the system. The serial poll

status returned to the computer/controller
contains information on modem carrier
detect, overrun error (for baud rate errors)
and framing error (for break indication). This
modem is intended for 300 baud or 30
character per second operation only. Liver-
more Data Systems, Inc., 2050 Research
Dr., Livermore, CA 94550, (415) 447-2252.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 249

Networking system cuts CPU overhead,
achieves throughput of more than 1 M bytes
and connects a variety of medium and high
speed devices, with network nodes or
adapters supporting mainframes and mini-
computers typically attached to central
processing units. The resulting network can
include host processors, support processors,
peripherals, mass storage systems, high
speed work stations, remote job entry

SUPER-TEXT

WWBHI

ADVANCED

FEATURES

□ split screen for editing large
documents

□ Math Mode for preparing
statistical reports

□ Optional file linking for global
search and print operations

□ Preview Mode formats line
endings and page breaks on
screen before printing

□ Form letter generation and
mailing list management
add-on modules
...and much more

Super-Text is the word
processing answer. A rare
combination of ease of use and
advanced features. Super-Text turns an
Apple computer into a powerful word
processing system with capabilities
unmatched by many dedicated WP sys-
tems costing thousands of dollars more.

□ single key cursor control

□ automatic word overflow

□ automatic paragraph
indentation

□ automatic on-screen tabbing

□ block copy, save and delete

□ tutorial manual and handy
reference card

□ dual disk copy program for
file backup

...and much more

Add the Form Letter
Module and Address Book to
^ make Super-Text the most
powerful business correspondence
system. Use Super-Text to create a letter,
then print a personalized copy for everyone
on your mailing list. Super-Text is $150, the
Form Letter Module $100 and the Address
Book $50 at computer stores everywhere.

From the leader in quality software...

For the Apple II or Apple II Plus!(48K)
Apple is a trademark ot Apple Computer Corp

330 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(301)659-7212

stations, multiple low speed front-end peri-
pheral networks, and gateways to remote
network facilities— all via the low cost broad-
band medium. Key to System 40 operation
are the LocalNet layered architecture and

network adapter unit, which connects user
devices to the broadband network and
supplies the distributed intelligence for the
system. The Network Adapter is a stand-
alone, 16-bit, microprocessor-controlled
packet communications unit providing access
to the broadband medium through software-
controlled, frequency-agile transceiver with
a variety of host interfaces. System 40 units
will provide a unibus adapter for the DEC
VAX and PDP 1 1 series. Standard Network
Adapter units will be Intel Multibus com-
patible. Sytek, Inc., 1153 Bordeaux Dr.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086, (408) 734-9000.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 250

Protocol convertor makes ASCII terminals
and minicomputers compatible with an IBM
binary synchronous host, at the same time
providing input, output and logical functions
of more expensive bisync systems. The
DataLynx protocol convertor has three input/
output ports supported by an 8085A micro-
processor and five RAM input/output buffers.
This logic and storage capability provides or
exceeds operating advantages normally
found in more complex peripherals such as
IBM 3780, 2780, 2770 or 3741 terminals.
The convertor offers a choice of dedicated,

dial-up or auto-answer modes for remote
use. It also has a standard switchable modem
eliminator feature if the terminal is to be used
locally via a cable link instead of remotely via
a modem. The five input/output buffers,
which provide a total of up to 2.6K bytes of
memory, provide fully optimized overlapping
of all input/output functions. This allows, for
example, an attached printer to operate at its
full throughput potential. At 9600 baud, a 600
LPM printer can be operating at full speed.
Price: $1 ,750. Local Data, 2701 Toledo St.,
Torrance, CA 90503, (213) 320-7126.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 252

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 62

Serial port tester is used in trouble-shooting
data communications and data processing

1 10 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

equipment. Data-Doc SPT-2 tester monitors
eight of the most commonly used pins,
including receive data, transmit data, data
set ready, carrier detect, request to send,
clear to send, data terminal ready, and busy.
The device allows for jumpering in any of the
other RS-232C lines for monitoring and
assertion in place of the busy line. The SPT-2
has male and female 25-pin RS-232C connec-
tors at opposite ends so it can be mounted in-
line in either direction. It requires no external
power and the LED display indicators draw

IIMFOSOFT Has a Better Way

The

Multi-User

system that is
COMPLETE
and ready to run

minimal current from monitored lines, well
within RS-232C standards. Price: $125,
Data-Doc, 9415 Neils Thompson Dr., Austin,
TX 78759, (512) 836-7326.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 253

Data monitor eases operation and port-
ability. Since the Mini Fox automatically
detects line configuration, even when DCE
and DTE speeds are different, a new operator
can use it immediately. Mini Fox’s standard
features include on-line, full-duplex data
monitoring from 50 bps to 19.2K bps; a
512-character, 5-in. CRT display; normal,
reverse, and dim video capability; a 16K

capture buffer; status indicators for EiA
leads; start/stop trappings; and automatic
error flagging. The Mini Fox handles most
standard protocols (Async, Bisync, SDLC/
HDLC, Transparent Text) and codes (ASCII,
EBCDIC, BCD, Baudot), plus a user-selected
protocol and codes. Price: $3,495. Halcyon,
1 Halcyon Plaza, 2121 Zanker Rd., San
Jose, CA 95131, (408) 293-9970.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 254

4800 bps modem, Avanti 3002, provides
price/performance solution for medium dis-
tance data distribution applications. It
operates over unconditioned and dedicated
3002 telephone lines, loaded metallic cir-
cuits, carrier systems (analog and digital),
microwave systems and multiplexer systems.
Operating modes are full duplex, four wires;
half duplex, two or four wires; point and multi-
point. Local and remote loopback capability
and diagnostic LEDs facilitate installation
and checkout. A fallback rate of 3600 bps
provides reliable operation when lines
become marginal. A dual channel feature,

MULTI/os™

Multi Word Processing
Multi Data Entry
Multi Inventory Control
Multi Order Entry

With a Shared data base
of up to

075.OOQOOO bytes

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 42

• SMD Interface • 5 1/4-inch Winchester

• 8-inch Winchester • 5440 Cartridge

Low cost high performance hard disk controllers are here!
The XCOMP custom microprogrammable processor with
writable control memory is the key. Available now are
SI 00 and general purpose microprocessor interface con-
trollers for SMD, CMD, 5440 and 2315 car-
tridge, Shugart® SA1000 eight-inch, and the
five and a quarter inch Seagate Technology
ST506. We specialize in getting OEMs
into hard disk systems. Move up to hard
disk the easy way. Call XCOMP.

XCOMP

^ XCOMP, Inc.

7566 Trade Street
San Diego, CA 92121
Tel. (714) 271-8730
Telex 182786

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 88

INTERFACE AGE Il f

mmmmamammm

wmam

WHAT’S
BEnER
THAN AN

ISAM

And Will Turn

MICROSOFT'S

BASIC

COBOL

FORTRAN

DIGITAL'S

Pl/l-80

CBASIC
PASCAL/ MT+

S-BASIC

CRQMEMCO 16K BASIC

Into first class application
languages?

MICRO B+™

The first and most complete
implementation of B-TREE
index structures for micro-
computers. B-TREES eliminate
index file reorganization.

( Search

An index of over

10,000 Key
Values In Less
Than One
Second

On A Floppy Disk System
for only

$260.00!

V-

System Houses:

MICROBE

Available in Language C

mmmmmmm 2606 Johnson Dm*

P*AIDI AM Columl3io.M065201
■ AIK \jF\JPn <314)445-3304

*1980 Pair Com

Shipping $4 USA / $8 Foreign
We accept VISA and MASTERCARD

PL/f-80 is a trademark of Digital Research
CSASIC « a trademark of Compiler Systems. Inc.

BASIC is a trademark of Topaz Programming
PASCAL/ MT*isa trademark of M? Micro Systems

: : J

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 37

1 12 INTERFACE AGE

standard to the Avanti 3002, allows two
terminals to operate independently at 2400
or 1800 bps with a single modem. The asyn-
chronous option allows either a single 4800/
3600 or dual 2400/1800 terminal(s) to be

connected directly without the need for
external asynchronous to synchronous con-
vertors. Price: $1,395. Avanti Communica-
tions Corp., Aquidneck Industrial Park,
Newport, Rl 02840, (401) 849-4660.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 258

300 bps modem operates over all dial
telephone lines, even those not usable by line
powered units. A Data/Talk switch selects
data or talk modes. An indicator for Data
Flow and Carrier Detect shows transmit and
receive data activity, and Indicates that a call
is established with another modem. Answer
and originate mode is automatically selected,
making it unnecessary to select operating
mode. An indicator shows in which mode the
modem is operating. The 103J-L features

self-diagnostics which loops data from the
terminal through the modem to check
operation. For installation, the modular plug
from the phone connects to a jack in its rear
panel. A standard 6-pin connector from the
modem access the telephone line. Business
equipment connects to the modem with an
EIA 25-pin RS-232C connector. Price:
$199. General DataComm Industries, Inc.,
One Kennedy Ave., Danbury, CT 06810,
(203) 797-0711.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 259

I/O

Expansion board allows unusual flexibility
and simplicity for interfacing digital I/O to any
Intel Multibus compatible computer system.
Designed for industrial applications, the
SBS-520 features high-speed operation,
low-power consumption, diagnostic capability
and direct interface to several solid-state
modules and I/O systems. A total of 72 TTL
I/O lines and three external interrupt inputs
are provided. The nine 8-bit ports are I/O
mapped with switch-selectable base address

and do not require software initialization. All
buffers, drivers and terminators are supplied
as standard components and are burned-in

as a system to insure reliable operation.
Operating temperature range is from 0°C to
+ 55 °C with extended range available.
Price: $365 (1-9) and $285 (100s). CTN
Electronics, Ronald Smith, (606) 342-7200.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 260

S-100 I/O board features 4 serial RS-232
I/O ports with independent baud rates of 50
to 19,200 baud, 24 bits of parallel I/O
configurable into up to 4 independent ports,
5 independent multi-feature timer counters,
1 6 levels of vectored interrupt control for on
and off board sources, and an optional
battery powered real time clock/calendar
that includes 50 bytes of general purpose
low power RAM. The MFIO is designed for
applications requiring multiple I/O ports,
timing and interrupt services, and combines
on one board the features necessary for
control of a multiuser system. Digicomp
Research, Terrace Hill, Ithaca, NY 14850,
(607) 273-5900.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 261

Daisy wheel printer operates at a print
speed of 40 characters per second, and
utilizes the industry standard RS-232C EIA
communications interface. The 40 cps model
employs an industry-standard 96-character
print wheel. It produces letter-quality printing
on three copies with either 136 columns in
pica pitch or 163 columns in elite pitch. It

also offers vertical and horizontal placement.
The printer handles forms up to 15 inches
wide. It also features self-test capability,
programmable VFU and front panel indicator
lamps for paper, select and power status.
C. Itoh Electronics, Inc., 5301 Beethoven St.,
Los Angeles, CA 90066, (213) 390-7778.
CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 262

Impact printer uses a single rugged print
hammer. The GP-80M, which prints both
graphics and alphanumerics, employs a
rotating platen with protruding splines
positioned behind the paper. The character
or graphics image is created by multiple

JULY 1981

COMPUTER
HOW-TO BOOKS
FROM

DATA

DYNAMICS

TECHNOLOGY

Z- 80 Microcomputer Handbook

William Barden , Jr.

The Zilog Model Z-80 represents a
microprocessor that is extremely sophis-
ticated and attractive to many computer
users. This handbook will provide the
current and prospective user with essen-
tial information on the technology of the
Z-80. Organized into three sections, the
first section concentrates on hardware,
the second on software, and the third on
microcomputers built around the Z-80.

Order No. 0-672-21500 304 pages $8.95

Computer Graphics Primer

Mitchell Waite

Describes one of the most exciting
developments in the new home com-
puter products — computer graphics.
Computer graphics is the ability to
create complex drawings, plans, maps,
and schematics on the screen of a
television set.

Order No. 0-672-21 650-7 1 84 pages $1 2.95

BASIC Programming Primer

Mitchell Waite and Michael Pardee
This book will serve as an invaluable tool
to anyone who wants to learn BASIC, the
most popular computer language today.
Seven chapters explain the fundamentals
of BASIC, program control, organization
and a game program, additional func-
tions, and variations of BASIC.

Order No. 0-672-21586-1 240 pages $10.95

Howard Sams Crash Course
in Microcomputers

Louis E. Frenzel, Jr.

Because of its content and unique form
of presentation, the reader is provided
with a solid background in micro-
computers quickly and effectively. This
course, arranged as a series of lessons
in a self-teaching format, features 14
units and 2 appendices that will teach
the average consumer as effectively as
the scientist with a PhD to deal with
complete microcomputer systems.

Order No. 0-672-21 634-5 264 pages $1 7.50

If you are a computerist who is eager to
learn the capabilities of PASCAL, this
book is written for you. PASCAL is a
computer language with features and
capabilities only found among the most
high ranking languages. This book will
describe PASCAL program structure,
variables, procedures and many
other features.

Order No. 0-672-21 793-7 206 pages

Guidebook to Small Computers

William Barden, Jr.

If you are contemplating buying a small
computer system for your home, office,
or business, this book can save you time
and trouble. It contains all the informa-
tion necessary for a prospective buyer to
make an intelligent selection of a small
system. The first chapter is a general
introduction to small computers and
presents the fundamentals of hardware
and software. The remaining chapters
feature a survey of 21 currently popular
systems and are illustrated with photo-
graphs, drawings, and charts. A handy
directory of small computer manufac-
turers concludes the book.

Order No. 0-672-21 698-1 1 28 pages $4.95

PASCAL Primer

David Fox and Mitchell Waite

DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY P.O. Box 1217, Cerritos, CA 90701

Name (Print)

Address

City State Zip.

Please send me:

Order #

Qty

Price

Total

Order #

Qtv

Price

Total

Shipping & Handling Charges $1 50ea. U S., $2.50 ea. Foreign TOTAL ORDER $.

•TAX $ :

SHIPPING & HANDLING $

TOTAL ENCLOSED $

# □ Check or M.O.(U.S. Funds drawn on U.S. bank)

Exp. Date Signature

•California residents add 6% sales tax. Availability and prices quoted subject to change without notice.

Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. You may photocopy this page if you wish to keep your INTERFACE AGE intact.

Orders cannot be shipped unless accompanied by payment, including shipping A handling and tax where applicable.

DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY, A Division of INTERFACE AGE Magazine (213) 926-9548

Microhouse:

Land of the Rising

CB6AAI MX-70: $378 **

Crwvlv MX-80: $479

— --==-= SIZZLING

SUMMER

EPSON MX70

Includes Graftrax II dot-addressable graphics.
Monodirectional. 80 cps. Adjustable tractor.
Parallel version only.

List Price: $450.00
Microhouse Price: $378.00

□ EPSON-MX70

EPSON MX80

With its ingenious removable printhead,
bidirectional and logic seeking, adjustable tractor,
fine print quality. Parallel interface can be
converted to RS232, IEEE 488, Apple, or Atari.

List Price: $645.00
Microhouse Price: $479.00

□ EPSON-MX80B

EPSON MX80 Serial Version

List Price: $720.00

Microhouse Price: $542.00

□ EPSON-MX80BS

EPSON MX80 FRICTION FEED

Includes tractor and friction feed plus Graphics
Package. Parallel version.

List Price: $745.00
Microhouse Price: $569.00

□ EPSON-MX80FP

DIABLO 630

letter-quality printer uses plastic and metal print
wheels. Fewer working parts mean less down
time. 40 cps bidirectional, logic-seeking. Tractor
$225 extra.

List Price: $2710.00
Microhouse Price: $1999.00

□ DIABLO-630RO

C. ITOH STARWRITER I

Letter quality printer uses Diablo plastic
printwheels and ribbons. 25 cps bi-directional,
logic-seeking. Self-test. Friction feed. Parallel
interface.

List Price: $1895.00

Microhouse Price: $1431.00

□ CITOH-STARI

IDS PAPER TIGER 560

List Price: $1695.00

Microhouse Price: $1464.00

□ IDS-560

IDS PAPER TIGER 460

Ust Price: $1295.00

Microhouse Price: $1072.00

□ IDS-460

CALL OR WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG

PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO
CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

WORDSTAR Apple Version

Finally, the ’Mercedes-Benz’ of Word Processing
Systems comes configured for one of America’s
favorite micros. Has all the features of the
Standard WORDSTAR. Requires Microsoft’s
CP/M card, Videx Videoterm 80 x 24 screen
conversion card (or equivalent), and at least 48K
RAM.

List Price: $375.00

Microhouse Price: $245.00/$40.00

□ MICPRO-WSAPPL

MAILMERGE for Apple

List Price: $125.00

Microhouse Price: $85.00/$25.00

□ MICPRO-MMAPPL

WORDSTAR

For CP/M’“ -based systems other than Apple.
Available for TRS80™.

List Price: $495.00

Microhouse Price: $322.00/$40.00

□ MICPRO-WORDST

SUPERSORT I

For CP/M®-based systems other than Apple. Can
be used as a stand-alone program or can be
linked to programs with a Microsoft format.

List Price: $250.00

Microhouse Price: $1 70.00/$40.00

□ MICPRO-SUSOI

SUPERSORT II

Stand-alone-only version of Supersort I. For
CP/M®-based systems other than Apple.

List Price: $200.00

Microhouse Price: $145.00/$40.00

□ MICPRO-SUSOII

BASIC 80

Interpreter (MBASIC) by Microsoft. Versions 5.2
and 4.51 included.

List Price: $350.00

Microhouse Price: $299.00/$30.00

□ MICROS-BASIC8

BASIC COMPILER

by Microsoft. Langauge compatible with MBASIC,
but programs run 3-10 times faster. Includes
MACRO80.

List Price: $395.00

Microhouse Price: $330.00/$30.00

□ MICROS-BASCOM

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research
UNIX is a registered trademark of Bell Labs
APPLE is a registered trademark of Apple Computers
TRS80 is a registered trademark of Tandy Corp.

Software Manual
& Manual/Only

□ ORDER-NUMBER

SHIPPING: Add $5 per manual or software package.
Add $2.50 for COD orders. Call for shipping charges
on other items. Pennsylvania residents add 6 per cent
sales tax.

Microhouse

P.O. BOX 498T
BETHLEHEM, PA 18016
(215) 868-8219

hammer strikes in rapid succession. The
precision gear train assures the exact
positioning of the print hammer relative to
the splines on the platen, and uniformity of
the 5 by 7 dot matrix pattern. Standard
features include ASCII upper and lower case

character sets, up to 80 columns with 12
characters per inch, adjustable tractor feed,
three copy reproduction, 12 watt power
consumption, and Centronics parallel inter-
face. It also has full graphics capability with a
resolution of better than 60 dots per inch in
both horizontal and vertical axes. Dot
graphics, normal characters and double width
characters can be intermixed on a single line
under software control. Price: $399. Axiom
Corp., 1014 Griswold Ave., San Fernando,
CA 91340, (213) 365-9521.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 263

I/O board for S-1 00 bus systems features 4
separate serial channels and 5 parallel ports.
This versatile board, the Multi I/O, is utilized
in Micromation’s single and multi user M/Net
multi-CPU system. Each of the four serial
ports consists of an 8251 universal syn-
chronous asynchronous receiver transmitter
with individually selectable baud rates. In
typical applications, the baud rates start at a
high of 9600 bps with subsequent decre-
ments derived by dividing by two to a low of

600 bps. Other rates can be acquired under
software control, however, to accommodate
faster or slower peripherals. Each port can
be jumpered to any of the 8 vectored interrupt
signals if interrupt driven I/O is necessary.
Other features include a substantial wire wrap
area for custom applications, jumper select-
able addressing (between 00 and FF in
32-byte blocks) to prevent address conflicts
with other boards in the system, an 8253
programmable timer with two unallocated
outputs available for special functions and
complete documentation. Micromation, Inc.,
1620 Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA
94111, (415) 398-0289.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 264

STD bus card is 4.5 by 7 inches. The heart
of the MCPU-800 single board microcom-
puter is a 4 MHz Z80A microprocessor. No

114 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 60

JULY 1981

wait states are necessary when used with
on-board RAM and 350 nS access time
ROMs. Four sockets are provided for 8K to
32K EPROM or ROM. 24-pin 2K, 4K, and 8K
ROMs and EPROMs are easily accommo-
dated with on-board jumpers. 0 to 64K bytes
of dynamic RAM may be used on the
MCPU-800. Sockets available will accept
triple supply 4116, or single supply 4516,

4132, and 4164 type RAMs. The 64K RAM
and 32K ROM coexist on the MCPU-800
through a memory mapping scheme. 16K
blocks of RAM and ROM may be selectively
enabled or disabled by software via a memory
map port and its associated bipolar PROM.
The machine typically requires 1 amp at
5 volts for a 16K, 32K, or 64K system
without ROMs. The 16K system utilizing
4116 type RAMs also requires +12 and - 5
at 160 mA. Prices start at $675. Miller
Technology, 16930 Sheldon Rd., Los
Gatos, CA 95030, (408) 395-2999.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 265

Expansion board enhances the networking
capability of the MuSYS Net/80 single board
slave processor. Net/80 contains: Z80A
CPU, 64K bytes of RAM and an RS232 serial
port for the local console. EXP/80 adds the
features necessary for a data processing
network master to run the MP/M operating
system. Features include an additional
console port, priority interrupt control, real

time clock, serial or parallel printer support
and IEEE S-100 bus master capability (as
permanent master) for accessing disk con-
trollers or other peripheral over the S-100
bus. The parallel port can be used to support
a Centronics type printer or to provide 8 bits
of input and output data for alternative uses.
An additional serial port permits interface
with a serial printer. Standard interrupt con-
figurations are available via jumper plugs on
the AM9519A Priority Interrupt controller.
Wire wrap connections can be made to
achieve special interrupt configurations. In
the master mode, the S-100 bus interrupt
lines are available as interrupt sources. Price:
$295. MuSYS Corp., 1451 Irvine Blvd., Suite
11, Tustin, CA 92680, (714) 750-5693.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 266

RAM card increases Apple II memory.
With 48K bytes of RAM already in place, this
new card increases capacity to 64K. This

16K RAM is computer-designed, using the
shortest distance between points and laying

heavy traces that improve overall reliability.
The CS16K RAM card is compatible with
Pascal, Digital Research’s CP/M, DOS 3.3,
Cobol, Fortran, Personal Software’s VisiCalc,
PILOT, Integer Basic, Applesoft Basic and
other software currently used with Apple II.
This additional 16K RAM means being able
to run the 56K CP/M operating system,
increased buffer storage for word pro-
cessing and VisiCalc or other calculation
programs, and the ability to run with Fortran
and other high level programming languages.
Price: $195. Computer Stop, 2545 W.
237th St., Suite L, Torrance, CA 90505,
(213) 539-7670.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 267

Memory board, HRAM, is designed to
optimize operation of hardware and software
products, including North Star’s new TSS/A

Getting the best prices
just became as easy

as 1-2-3.

ITEM

PRICE

LIST CCA QTY

□ Visicalc ™ by Personal Software

$150 $ 99*

SOFTWARE

□ WordStar ™ by MicroPro™

495

315

APPLICATIONS □ EasyWriter“Pro" by IUS

275

225

□ Magic Wand ™ by SBA

400

275

□ Microsoft Z-80 " Softcard ™

$349 $255

EXPANSION

□ Micromodem ™ II by Hayes™

379

299

ACCESSORIES

□ Videoterm by Videx

345

275

□ Sup-r-terminal by M&R

375

319

□ MX 80 ™ by Epson

$645 $499

PERIPHERALS

□ 737-Parallel by Centronics

995

749

& DEVICES

□ 460G “ Paper Tiger" by IDS

1,394 1,125

□ Expansion Chassis by Mountain

650

549

•$99 unit is for Apple II: similar low prices for units to use with other computers

There’s no such thing as a “second” in this industry. So why pay inflated prices?
Our huge volume/low overhead means you can get what you’ve waited for now.

Similar values on a wide variety of computer-related items. Send check, MC or Visa.
PRICES EFFECTIVE THIS MONTH ONLY WRITE FOR CATALOG

COMPUTER COMPANY
OF AMERICA

P.O. Box 9488, 7635 Fulton Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91606 • (213)765-5091

Shipping & handling for Software (1) or Expansion (2) add $5 for each item for Peripherals (3) add $15 each
California residents add 6°o sales tax ORDER TOTAL $

NAME.

_Y0UR SYSTEM-

ADDRESS.

CITY/STATE .

.ZIP.

MASTERCARD NO..
SIGNATURE

_VISA NO..

_EXP. DATE.

IA7

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 14

INTERFACE AGE 115

Qgcippkz 1

ill AT AD I s

ATARI
EPSON I

. . . and more

Apple’ll

32K

s 1099°°

48K

511490°

Disk II w/3.3 DOS ..

s 52 goo

Disk II

5 45Q0O

Apple III W/128K ...

. s 3600°°

EPSON

MX-70

. s 399 00

MX-80

. CALL

Apple card & cable.

s ggoo

ATARI®

400 W/48K

j 4 4 goo

400 W/16K

s 49900

800 w/16K

5 77500

810 Disk Drive

s 44900

We'll meet or beat

any advertised price.

Who 1 HEWLETT
mLfLM PACKARD

HP-85 A W/16K 5 26 9 7 30

SEC

5510-2 w /Tractor . . . *2550°°
5520-2 w/Tractor ... J 2850°°

S0R0C

IQ 120 J 725°°

IQ 135 J 799°°

C.ITOH

Comet 5 499 95

Starwriter *1450°°

North star, Altos and Zenith
All 25% Discount

LO-BALL COMPUTERS

7677 S.W. Cirrus Dr.
Beaverton, OR. 97005

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 36

TO ORDER

CALL (503) 641-0211

Ordering Information: For fastest ser-
vice, send money order, cashier’s
check or bank wire. Visa and MC
orders, add 3%. Personal checks
accepted (allow minimum 10 days to
clear). Hours 9-5, M-F.

Call for our Free Catalog .

116 INTERFACE AGE

multi-user operating system. The HRAM
boards are Horizon-compatible, and are avail-
able in 32K, 48K, and 64K configurations.
North Star Computers, 14440 Catalina St.,
San Leandro, CA 94577, (415) 357-8500.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 268

Serial input/output board is S-IOO com-
patible, and supports asynchronous and
synchronous communications with either
RS-232 or current loop options. Each port’s
baud rate is programmable with eight
asynchronous or six synchronous speeds.
Each port also has four interrupt sources,
three of which are maskable, the fourth
being enabled/disabled with an on-board
jumper. The HSIO-4 board supports the
TSS/A multi-user system, and can be easily
reconfigured through header changes to
support other applications. Price: $349.
North Star Computers, 14440 Catalina St.,
San Leandro, CA 94577, (415) 357-8500.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 269

Universal support module meets the
demands required by Digital Research’s
MP/M multi-user, multi-tasking operating
system. All input/output, interrupt generation
for task switching and disk bootstrapping are
resident features on the MAPS-1000. Board
features are: four independent RS-232C
serial communication channels; one 8-bit TTL
parallel port; on-board phantom controlled
disk boot prom/monitor; power on jump
capability; crystal controlled MP/M interrupt

system wiring in the legs and cable channel.
The 6-in. cable channel accommodates UL
approved power strips and houses all power
cords and interconnecting cables. Only one
power cord connects to power outlet in wall
or floor. Tables come in 36-in. by 30-in. and
44-in. by 30-in. sizes with 90° and 45°
corner work surfaces and lock together
without additional hardware or accessories.
They can be equipped with optional shelves,
drawers and casters to form compact and
mobile storage or work space. Legs are
positioned on the outside edges of the table
to maximize storage room and leg comfort.
Contemporary Computer Cabinets, Inc.,
1290 Anvilwood Ct., Sunnyvale, CA 94086,
(408) 734-9120.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 271

Rack-mounted card-cage lets designers
quickly package systems using Series-80
multibus, S-100, Motorola and Rockwell
microcomputers and accessory cards. Fully
adjustable, CCK-80 cages mount standard
6.75-in. by 12-in. Series-80 boards from
Intel and National, 5.3-in by 10-in. S-1 00-type
cards, and the 6-in. by 9.75-in. boards used
in the Motorola Exorciser and Micromodule
or Rockwell Aim 65 and expansion systems.
Shipped fully-assembled, the CCK-80 card
guides and structural members are positioned
for Series-80 cards on 0.6-in. centers, in a
horizontal configuration. Other type cards are
accommodated merely by adjusting cross-

generation logic; on-board extended memory
bank switching logic. Price: $425, fully
assembled and tested. Digiac Corp., 175
Engineers Rd., Smithtown, NY 11787,
(516) 273-8600.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 270

MISCELLANEOUS

Computer table system provides a flexible
work station for mini computers, terminals,

word processors, plotters, and other related
equipment. The key feature of the product is
a cable management system that conceals all

members and guides. No drilling is required.
Price: $79. Vector Electronic Co., Inc.,
12460 Gladstone Ave., Sylmar, CA 91342,
(213) 365-9661.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 272

Computer work station has the optimum
table height of 26V2 inches— the same as a
typewriter stand, to make keyboard entry as
easy as possible. A shelf is mounted below
the table for storage of instruction manuals or
other reference material. Additional shelves
above the table can be used for the monitor,

disk drives or other hardware. Two models
are available. The model 2036 is 36 in. long
by 54 in. tall, whereas the model 2048 is 48
in. long by 47 in. tall. Both styles have 20-in.

JULY 1981

FORMER LIST PRICE $2975

NOW£HI COC
ONLYN> I DvJO

CENTRONICS 737

Same as Radio Shack Line Printer II gf*^*^**

LIST PRICE $795 NOW ONLY S599

(add $7.50 for shipping) W

CENTRONICS 779-2

Same as Radio Shack Line Printer I w/tractor

LIST PRICE $1350

(Ship freight collect)

NOW ONLY

CENTRONICS 737

Same as Radio Shack Line Printer IV

Featuring Correspondence Quality and Proportional Spacing

MiniMicroMart, Inc.

1618 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203 (315)422-4467 TWX 710 541 0431

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 133

INTERFACE AGE 117

JULY 1981

CHOOSE...

Choose an Apple Desk

A compact bi-level desk ideal for an Apple
computer system. This 42" x 31%" desk comes
with a shelf to hold two Apple disk drives. The
top shelf for your TV or monitor and manuals
can also have an optional paper slot to accom-
odate a printer.

Choose a Micro Desk

Get your micro computer off the desk top and
into the micro shelf under our Designer Series
desks. Suitable for the North Star, Dynabyte,
Vector Graphics, and Altos computers. The
desks come in a variety of sizes and colors.

Choose a Mini Rack

Mini racks and mini micro racks have standard
venting, cable cutouts and adjustable RETMA
rails. Choose a stand alone bay or a 48", 60",
or 72" desk model in a variety of colors and
wood tones. A custom rack is available for the
Cromemco.

Choose a Printer Stand

The Universal printer stand fits the:

Centronics 700's Diablo 1600's& 2300's

Dec LA 34 T.l;810& 820

NEC Spinwriter Okidata Slimline

Lear Siegler 300's Anadex 9500's

Delivery in days on over 200 styles and colors
in stock. Dealer inquiries invited.

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
FURNITURE
COMR/INSJ

17129 S. Kingsveiw Avenue
Carson, California 90746
Telephone: 213/538-9601

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 33

wide tables. Prices: model 2036, $150;
model 2048, $165. Ever Roll, 3988 Troy Rd.,
Springfield, OH 45504, (513) 964-1322.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 273

Computer cases include the API 04 for the
Apple III which holds the computer, two
additional disk drives and a Silentype printer
retailing for $139; the API 05 for a monitor
such as the Sanyo or Leedx 13-in. retailing

for $99; the RS204 for the TRS-80 model III
retailing for $129; the RS205 for the Radio
Shack color computer retailing for $99; and
the P403 for the Epson MX80 and MX70
printers also retailing for $99. The cases
are constructed of luggage material with
hard sides, padded handles, brass hardware
and key locks. Rubber pads provide furniture
protection and steel lugs on the bottom
protect the case when transporting. Tops
are removed so that the equipment can be
operated without removal from the case.
Provisions are made for cords to exit the
case even when the top is on and locked.
Computer Case Co., 5650 Indian Mound Ct.,
Columbus, OH 43213, (614) 868-9464.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 274

Winchester disk drive, the M80, incor-
porates an improved positioning concept
involving a torquer motor and a closed loop
servo system to facilitate high track density
and improved data reliability. The 80M-byte
device will also be offered with an Intelligent

Marksman interface option that provides the
user an efficient and cost effective means of
attaching the drive to the host CPU. Century
Data Systems, 1270 N. Kraemer Blvd.,
Anaheim, CA 92806, (714) 999-2660.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 27S

Anti-static dust covers from Inmac prevent
equipment problems by protecting CRTs and
printers from static charges, dust, and other
hazards. They contain special anti-static
chemicals that immediately dissipate static
charges that attract dust and dirt. Rear cut-
outs for cables ensure a custom fit that will
also protect equipment from spilled food or
other hazards. Covers are made of a durable
6-gauge vinyl that folds easily for storage.

The covers are available for 25 popular
CRTs and printers. Price: $15. Inmac, Dept.

1029, 2465 Augustine Dr., Santa Clara, CA
95051, (408) 727-1970.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 276

SVi-in. Winchester family offers three
capacity disk drive options, two interface
choices and an innovative mechanical design.
The SA600 series comes in three versions:
the single-plotter SA602 with 3.33M bytes
of (unformatted) storage capacity, the double-
plotter SA604 with 6.66M bytes, and the
lOM-byte triple-plotter SA606. Key per-
formance specifications include an average
access time of 75 mS (160 maximum);
transfer rate of 4.34 megabits per second
(the same as that of the SA1000 8-in.
Winchester); track-to-track access time of
1 8 mS (including settling); and track density
of 256 tracks per inch. Shugart Assoc., 475
Oakmead Pkwy., Sunnyvale, CA 94086,
(408) 733-0100.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 277

Logic designer, LD-1 , includes major design
needs in a handy portable molded plastic
case with integrated hinged cover. Features
include a variable clock, two pulsers, eight
LED readouts, eight logic level switches and
the SK-10 solderless breadboarding socket.

Power is supplied through the use of batteries
or an optional AC supply. Prices: LD-1 kit, $75,
P/N 325-4301; LD-1 /assembled, $99.50,
P/N 325-1301. E&L Instruments, 61 First
St., Derby, CT 06418, (203) 735-8774.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 278

PERIPHERALS

Desk-top printer. Model 150, is designed
for business and communications applica-
tions. Standard features include 3-way paper
handling, top of form, compressed print,
adjustable tractors and a roll paper holder.
Additional features include 150-cps print
speed, bi-directional logic-seeking printing,

118 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

“clean hands” ribbon cassette, forward tear
bar, self-test, and a visual paper empty

indicator. Centronics Data Computer Corp.,
Hudson, NH 03051 , (603) 883-01 1 1 .

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 280

IIMFOSOFT Has a Better Way

MULTI/os™

The complete Multi-user
operating system

I/OS™

The better single-user
alternative

WpOaisy™ +
Mailmerge™

The lotal Word Processor

IMS BASIC
Interface™

Use North Star BASIC with
a real operating system

Block-mode display terminal, the HP

2622A, provides increased memory, display
enhancements, screen-labeled user-program-
mable keys, an optional line drawing character
set and an optional thermal printer. Format
mode, supporting protected and unprotected
fields, and the optional line drawing character
set enable users to build screen forms that
match existing paper forms. Four standard

display enhancements— reverse video, under-
lining, blinking and half-bright— help make
forms easier to read. Standard memory
accommodates up to two full pages of
80-character lines, enabling two-page forms
to be entered. Price: $2,075. Hewlett-
Packard, 1501 Page Mill Rd., Palo Alto, CA
94304, (415) 857-1501.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 281

16 -bit intelligent terminal is optimized for
word-processing and office automation appli-
cations. With its high-performance 8086
microcomputer and C'P/M 86 operating
system, the terminal permits extensive local
processing of information, plus fast response

time when operated on-line from a host com-
puter. The model 1000 terminal, with its full-
page 66-by-80 character video display, 64K

ATTENTION GOVERNMENT D P
USERS AND PURCHASERS

We represent many fine micro products and manufacturers
on the GSA Schedule, including

Apple , Cromemco

and Computer Corporation of America

Purchasing from the Schedule will save you the time
consumed by the bid process. Products shipped throughout
the United States and world-wide. Visit or write any of our
stores for more information or to receive our catalogue of
products represented.

the dependable stoie

257 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 — (301) 268-6505
13A Allegheny Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 — (301) 296-0520
9330 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 - (301) 588-3748
or Call (301) 268-5801

Career Opportunities Available * An Equal Opportunity Employer

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 9S

INTERFACE AGE 1 19

ELLGUARD

Spelling Checker
for Professionals.

SPELLGUARD eliminates
spelling and typographical
errors in documents pre-
pared with CP/M 1 or CDOS 2
word processors.

SPELLGUARD is a
unique program that leads
the microcomputing indus-
try in its efficiency, ease of
use, and reliability.

FAST

• Proofreads 20 pages in under
one minute.*

POWERFUL

• 20,000 word dictionary, ex-
pandable with single keystroke.

• Properly handles hyphens and
apostrophes.

• Allows multiple, technical
dictionaries.

RELIABLE

• Over 500 shipped by March
1981.

• 30-day money-back limited
warranty.

• Industry leading Softguard
feature ensures diskette copy of
program is undamaged.

EASY TO USE

• On-line help feature.

• Misspelled words marked
in text for easy, in-context
correction.

• Examples of all functions in
120 page manual.

COST EFFECTIVE

• SPELLGUARD'S unique speed
and accuracy easily recovers the
suggested $295 price.

'Time estimates based on double density
8' diskettes and 4Mhz system.

Trademarks: 'Digital Research, 2 Cromemco

Contact your local dealer or write
ISA for a SPELLGUARD brochure.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 45

The fast, accurate
proofreader.

INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS

P.O. Box 2797, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(415) 326-0805

bytes of RAM and 8K bytes of PROM, is
ideal for adding word-processing capability
to a host computer of any size from a micro-
computer to large mainframes. The same
features also make it excellent for data pro-
cessing, suiting the terminal for the exploding
office automation market. The terminal’s full
page video display utilizes a 7 by 9 dot matrix
in a 9 by 1 5 field for attractive, easy-to-read
characters. Any combination of 128 ANSII
characters, including upper and lower case
with descenders, can be displayed in high or
low intensity with blinking, reverse, blank
and underline capability. The detachable
keyboard consists of a full alphanumeric set
of 107 keys with N-key roll over. The key-
board also Includes eight function keys that
can be programmed for user convenience.
Piiceon, Inc., 2350 Bering Dr., San Jose, CA
95131, (408) 946-8030.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 282

Laser data terminal, MSI 23, has a laser
bar code scanner, a 16-pad keyboard, a
24-character display, and a 21 -column matrix
printer. The unit is a stand-alone, interactive
data entry system with the added feature of
laser scanning for speed and reliability. The
operation is similar to a video data terminal in
its communications through RS-232 with a
computer. Uses are stockroom control,
production ticket tracking, shipping and
receiving, document control, and other
human interactive data entry points. The

laser is a helium-neon, steel-ceramic, hard-
seal unit offering shock resistance and longer
life. The laser is a safe, Class II BRH type.
The 21 -column, dot matrix printer provides a
printout for tickets, receipts, date due slips,
production tickets and other uses requiring
hard copy. The printer, keyboard and display
are programmed through customer provided
ROM of the 2716 type. They can be accessed
from an external computer. Metrologic
Instruments, 143 Harding Ave., Bellmawr,
NJ 08031, (609) 933-0100.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 283

Color matrix printer requires no special
absorbency paper. The CX-80 can print text,
graphs, histograms and color VDU dumps in
seven different colors, with no restriction on
mixing characters, dot-addressed areas and
color changes on the same line. Colors are
selected by 1 of 7 color control codes.
Stripes from the tricolor ribbon are selected
to produce the required colors, which
simplifies the host program requirements.
Unlike ink-jet printers which require high
absorbancy paper, the printer uses plain
white-edge perforated paper (4-10 in. wide).
The unit is fully dot addressable in all 7
colors; the character ROM contains 96
ASCII and 64 graphics characters. The

67890

7-wire head produces a character format 5
by 7 plus graphics format 6 by 7. Integrex

Inc., 233 N. Juniper St., Philadelphia, PA
19107, (215) 627-0966.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 287

Disk controller board for the Apple com-
puter, the Lobo LCA-22, is completely
software compatible with Apple DOS and
contains 256 bytes of onboard boot ROM. It
will control up to four 8-in., single or double

sided, single or double density disk drives
with a total storage capacity of 4.4M bytes.
Additional features include an average access
time of 200 mS and a DMA designed for full
62. 5K byte/sec transfer rate. The LCA-22
has been designed to run in slots 1 thru 7, and
is not restricted to a single location. Price:
$699. Lobo Drives Int’l, 354 S. Fairview
Ave., Goleta, CA 93117, (805) 683-1576.
CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 288

Line printer spooler for the TRS-80 model I,
LPSPOOL, permits concurrent printing and
processing. Features include: increased
computer throughput by allowing printing to
be done while the computer is used for other
purposes; multiple copies of output may be
produced automatically, without user program
changes; output may be held until a more
convenient time for printing, or deleted if not
required; parallel or serial printers are sup-
ported. Racet Computes, 1330 N. Glassell,
Suite M, Orange, CA 92667.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 289

SYSTEMS

Office workstation, series 1000, features
the 8086 16-bit microprocessor. The 1000
is a multi-functional system designed to
serve either as a stand-alone unit or as an
intelligent programmable terminal in a net-
work of office automation products. The
standard system includes a console with
15-in. display, a unique display aimed at the
combination WP/DP application that incor-
porates 39 lines of 96 characters with 256
characters per line available under automatic

120 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

LOWEST PRICE - BEST QUALITY

NORTH STAR

North Star Horizon 2

2-5 Va Disk Drives
32K Double Den
Factory assem. & tested
Factory guaranteed
List 3095

only

$2274

POWERFUL NORTH STAR BASIC FREE
SUPERB FOR BUSINESS & SCIENCE

FACTORY ASSEMBLED & TESTED LIST ONLY

HORIZON-1 -32K-DOUBLE DEN $2695 $1980

HORIZON-2-32K-QUAD DENSITY 3595 2674

HORIZON-2-64K-QUAD + HARD DISK 9329 7149

HORIZON RAM ASSM 1 6K = $389. 32K = $579

HORIZON RAM KIT SALE! 16K = $314 32K = $469

HORIZON DISK DRIVE SALE DOUB DEN SAVE! 315

NORTH STAR HARD DISK 18 Mb 4999 $3929

PASCAL-PLUS 1 4,1 8 OR 36 DIGIT PRECISION 249

SUPERBRAIN

ZENITH

SUPERBRAIN QD 64K

List $3995 only $2995

Z-89 48K

List $2895 only $2299

Terminals z-i 9 $725

INTERTUBE III .m y $725

DIP-81 PRINTER .m y $395

MICROTEK $675

NEC PRINTER $2569
TRACTOR, THIMBLE, RIBBON

InterSystems

ITHACA INTERSYSTEMS 2A

Z-80A CPU 4 MHz
64K Dynamic RAM
Front panel
V I/O— with interrupts
FDCII Disk Controller
20 slot motherboard

CALL FOR PRICE

List $3795 T0Q LQW T0 aqveRTISE

PASCAL/Z + THE FASTEST PASCAL $375

GET READY FOR ITHACA’S Z-8000

8086 16 BIT CPU & SUPPORT CARD SEATTLE $575

MORROW 8” DISK

DISCUS 2D + CP/M® 600K ONLY $938
DISCUS 2 + 2 + CP/M® 1.2 MEGA B. $1259

ADD DRIVES 2D = $650 2 + 2 = $975
2D-DUAL + CP/M® + MICROSOFT BASIC = $1555
$2293 VALUE OVER 32% OFF!

WHILE THEY LAST

MORROW HARD DISK
26,000,000 BYTES!!
LIST $4995 ONLY $3995
CP/M® IS INCLUDED!

SAVE ON MEMORY AND PROGRAMS

SYSTEMS MEMORY B4K A & T 4mHz

$599

SYSTEMS MEMORY 64K BANK SELECT
$789

CENTRAL DATA 64K RAM $599

ITHACA MEMORY 8/1 6-bit 64K $845

SEATTLE MEMORY 8/16 BIT 16K 4Mhz
$275

SSM KITS Z-80 CPU $221

VIDEO BRDV834Mhz $412

ANADEX PRINTER DP-9500- 1 $1349

CAT NOVATION MODEM $169

TARBELL DISK CONTROLLER DD $445
ECONORAM 2A8K ASSM $179

NSSE 1-22 & P01 TERRIFIC PROGRAMS
ONLY $10. EACH
NORTHWORD 294 MAILMAN 234
INFOMAN $364

TARBELL COMPUTER-PHONE

RCA-COSMAC VP-1 1 1 99 RCA-COSMAC
VP-711 $199

COLOR! RAINBOW 385
SPECTRUM $289

EZ-80 Machine Language Tutor $25
EZ-CODER Translates English to BASIC
$71

ECOSOFT FULL ACCOUNTING PKG

$315

BOX OF DISKETTES $29

SECRETARY WORD PROCESSOR

The Best! $99
TEXTWRITER III Book Writing Program
$112

GOFAST NORTH STAR BASIC Speeder
Upper $71

Which Computers are BEST?
BROCHURE FREE

North Star Documentation refundable
w/HRZ $20

AMERICAN SQUARE COMPUTERS BEATS ADV. PRICES

square

American [||] Computers

919-889-4577 KIVETT DR. JAMESTOWN N.C. 27282 919-883-1105

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc.

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 91

INTERFACE AGE 121

HHHi

/ STRICTLY

£cippkz®

APPLE II PLUS: YOU SAVE

16K $1049 22%

48K $1099 29%

64K $1269 27%

Apple III Call

All are 1981 model with Apple RAM.
64K unit is 48K unit with Microsoft
16K RAM board.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We are an

authorized dealer and repair center
and will repair all Apple equipment
regardless of where you purchased it.

SAVE

Disk II & 3.3 Controller

$499

23%

Disk II

$439

16%

Micro Sci A70 for Apple II

286 K 5" Drive

$499

16%

3.3/ Pascal Controller

$ 79

20%

Monitors, Sanyo 9" B&W

$169

30%

12" B&W

$249

21%

12" Green

$299

21%

13" Color

$449

20%

RF Modulator, M&R

$ 25

38%

Serial Interface Card

$129

35%

Apple Writer program

$ 59

21%

Visicalc

$ 119

21%

80 Column Video:

Apple Smarterm

$299

17%

Videx, Videoterm

$249

18%

M&R, SupeRterm

$319

14%

Language/ Pascal Sys.

$ 379

24%

Microsoft:
Z80 Softcard

$250

28%

16K RAM Card

$169

16%

Silentype printer w/IF

$499

22%

Centronics 737

$759

26%

Interface & cable

$149

23%

Epson MX 80

$475

27%

" Interface & cable

$ 95

15%

DC Hayes Micromodem

$299

23%

10 Memorex 5" disks

$ 25

45%

10 Maxell 5" disks

$ 39

33%

Accounting Software
"Insoft Accountant"

$365

66%

A full professional quality intergrated GL. A/R. A/P.
Payroll package with hotline support Send for free
sample printouts

Above prices for mail orders only. Our store
showroom is at 126 NE F St. Grants Pass. OR Store
prices include service and will differ. No mail order
sales at Store. CALL ORDER DESK.

( 800 ) 547-1289

TECHNICAL & OREGON:

(503) 899-7297

ORDERING INFORMATION: Minimum order $100.
Money Orders. Cashier Checks or Bank Wire
Welcomed. Visa and MC orders add 3% Personal
checks accepted (allow up to 20 days to clear). Add
3°o for shipping, handling and insurance. UPS
ground is standard Add 4% total for UPS Blue or
I0°o total for US Parcel Post. Include your telephone
number. No COD'S. Prices subject to change
without notice. Order desk hours are 9 to 6 PST
10 to 3 Saturdays.

Computer

Exchange

PO BOX 1380 W

Jacksonville, OR 97530

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 23

horizontal scrolling; detached keyboard; and
two double density 8-in. floppy disk drives
housed in a separate cabinet; also available
as an option is high resolution graphics. In
addition to the display, the console houses
the system’s 1 6-bit CPU, I/O and communi-

cation controllers, and 64K bytes of memory.
Memory can be expanded to include up to
832K bytes of RAM. Artelonics Corp., 2952
Bunker Hill Lane, Santa Clara, CA 95050,
(408) 727-3071.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 290

Stack-oriented system, PDQ-3, features
direct execution of UCSD Pascal version
111.0 p-code, the most widely-used micro-
processor developmental language in exis-
tence today. It incorporates the Q-Bus, an
industry standard, which permits addition of
a wide variety of peripherals, including
Winchesters and 80 to 300M-byte Control
Data Corporation disc drives. In addition to
the 1 6-bit stack-based processor, the CPU
module features a real-time clock interval
timer, multiplexed CRT and serial printer
interface, DMA floppy disc controller and
bootstrap loader from floppy or hard disc, all
packaged on an 8V2-in. by 10-in. multilayer
printed circuit board. The UCSD Pascal base
offers a high degree of software portability,
and dramatically reduces software develop-
ment and maintenance. Price: $6,995.
Advanced Digital Products, 7584 Trade St.,
San Diego, CA 92121, (714) 578-9595.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 291

S-100 computer, Expander, requires only a
video display and media storage for operation.
The unit, however, does not require a
separate terminal, providing high speed
operation. The computer is built around a
single board that contains a Z80A CPU,
keyboard circuitry, Interrupt, video circuitry,
real time clock, parallel printer interface,
RS-232 serial interface, and full color cir-
cuitry. Features include standard 80 by 24

screen format, upper/lower case, 4K ROM
monitor, 64K RAM expandable to 51 2K, video
output and color graphics using 256 colors,
and a complex tone generator with internal

speaker. Keyboard capabilities include cal-
culator keypad, 2 programmable function
keys, and 4 cursor control keys. The high
quality typewriter-like keyboard lets sec-
retaries feel right at home. Micro-Expander,
6835 W. Higgins Ave., Chicago, IL 60656,
(312) 792-1196.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 292

Small business computer, the CT-80,
boasts multi-user, multi-tasking, operating
capability. By adding video workstations, as
many as three business programs can be
entered and run concurrently. Small busi-
nesses can time share word processing,
accounting, order processing, inventory,
forms processing and more. The workstations
can share common peripheral devices. High
level language processors are utilized
including Fortran, Basic, Pascal and Cobol. A
complete turnkey system for ease of
operation and learning is offered. Digiac
Corp., 175 Engineers Rd., Smithtown, NY
11787, (516) 273-8600.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 293

Filing system can be produced by desk-top
computers or word processors. The com-
puter-generated color coding system, called
Compu-Key, can produce random number or
custom alpha color-coded labels which will
eliminate misfiling in any filing system. The
labels can be applied to any size or style
folder. It is available in either of two options:
as a complete turnkey system with a desk-
top computer and printer, or as ready-to-run
software for use by companies with existing

hardware. The system can also create
machine-readable bar codes, special alpha
or numeric prefixes, and a percentage graph
for non-color file control. The color codes
and other file controls are printed on special
patented labels that fit any standard printer.
Software can be supplied to run on any type
of computer or word processor system. The
system can also supply automatic purge
dates, cross reference, or location of other
files. Wenner Business Systems, 1 70 State
St., Los Altos, CA 94022.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 294

Data management tool accesses, modifies,
searches and sorts data. Up to 1 ,000 records
of information along with numerous complex
analyses can be managed and performed by
the Personal Information Management Sys-
tem. The system consists of a series 80
personal computer, information management
pac software (IMPac), a mass memory ROM
and an HP 82901 M dual-drive, flexible disc.
The IMPac software is the system’s heart.
It features a system with easy-to-follow
prompts; a report-writer for organizing and
formatting of products; a sorting and statistic
capability for comparison analyses; and an

JULY 1981

122 INTERFACE AGE

WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD

DISK DRIVES

FOR TRS-80* Model I

CCI-100 5 Va ", 40 Track (102K) $314

CCI-280 5V4 ", 80 Track (204K) $429

ADD-ON DRIVES FOR ZENITH Z-89
CCI-189 5V4 ", 40 Track (102K) $394

CCI-289 5 Va ", 80 Track (204K) $499

Z-87 Dual 5 V4" system $995

External card edge and power supply included. 90 day warranty/one
year on power supply.

RAW DRIVES 8" SHUGART 801R $425

5 V4 " TEAC or TAN DON $ CALL POWER SUPPLIES $ CALL

MORROW DESIGNS/THINKER TOYS™
DISCUS 2D 1 DRIVE $ 938

DISCUS 2 + 2 1 DRIVE $1259

DISCUS Hard Disk M26 $3990

2 DRIVE $1635
2 DRIVE $2245
M10 $2999

DISKETTES - box of 10

5V4" Scotch $35 Maxell $40 BASF/ Verbatim $26.95

8" Scotch $50 Maxell $55 BASF/ Verbatim $36.00

PLASTIC FILE BOX-Holds 50 5V4" diskettes $19.00

PLASTIC LIBRARY CASE 5V4" $3.00 8" $4.00

SCOTCH HEAD CLEANING DISKETTE $25.00

FLOPPY SAVER $11.95 RINGS $6.95

SYSTEM SPECIAL

Apple II Plus 48K w/drive and controller. Epson MX-80 printer and
interface. SUP-R Mod RF Modulator: List $2965 You Pay $2299

COMPUTERS/TERMINALS

ARCHIVES

64K, 2-Drives, 77 Track

$5495

ALTOS

ACS8000 Series

$ CALL

TRS-80*

II-64K $3499

III-16K

$ 899

TRS-80*

Expansion Interface

$ 299

ZENITH

48K, all-in-one computer

$2200

ZENITH

Z-19

$ 735

TELEVIDEO

920C $ CALL

950

$ CALL

IBM

3101 Display Terminal

$1189

ATARI

400 $ 479

800

$ 795

MATTEL

INTELLIVISION

$ 229

APPLE PERIPHERALS

$ CALL

MONITORS

APF

9" B & W TVM-10

$120

BELL &

HOWELL

9" B & W BHD911

$199

LEEDEX

12" B & W $ 129

13'' Color $369

SANYO

9" B & W VM4509

$155

SANYO

12" B&W DM5012

$226

SANYO

12" Green Screen DM5112

$238

SANYO

13" Color DMC6013

$416

ZENITH

13" Color

$349

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LIVERMORE STAR MODEM 2-year guarantee

$125

UNIVERSAL DATA SYSTEMS UDS-103

$179

D-CAT HARD WIRED DIRECT MODEM

$189

AUTO-CAT Auto Answer, Direct Connect Modem

$249

D.C. HAYES MICRO-MODEM

$329

NEC Spin writer

Letter Quality High Speed Printer
R.O.

R.O. with tractor feed
KSR with tractor feed

C.ITOH Starwriter $1695

EPSON MX-80 $CALL

PAPER TIGER

IDS 445 Graphics & 2K buffer
IDS 460 Graphics & 2k buffer
IDS 560 Graphics

ANADEX DP-8000 $ 849

OKIDATA

Starwriter II
MX-70

DP-9500/01

Microline 80
Microline 80
Microline 82
Microline 83

Friction & pin feed
Friction, and pin & tractor feed
Friction & pin feed feed
120 cps, uses up to 15" paper

CENTRONICS 730 $ 595 799 $ 969

TI-810

737

TRS-80* software, compressed print & vert, form control

$2395

$2595

$2895

$1895

$CALL

$ 699
$1050
$1450
$1345

$ 420
$ 520
$ 620
$ 849
$ 749

$1865

16K RAM KITS 2 for $37 $19

200 ns for TRS-80*, Apple II, (specify): Jumpers $2.50

S-100 CALIFORNIA COMPUTER SYSTEMS

MAINFRAME

Model 2200A

$349

Z80 CPU

Model 2810

$269

MOTHER BOARD

Model 2501

$106

16K STATIC RAM, 200ns

Model 2116C

$309

32K STATIC RAM, 200ns

Model 2032C

$619

64K DYNAMIC RAM

Model 2065C

$599

FLOPPY DISC CONTROLLER

Model 2422A

$359

EXTENDER BOARD

Model 2520 K

$ 52

2P + 2SI/0

Model 2718A

$309

APPLE ACCESSORIES AND SOFTWARE

VISICALC
DB MASTER
Z-80 SOFTCARD
VIDEX BOARD
16K CARD
APPLE JOYSTICK
SUP-R MOD
CCS CARDS

GALAXIAN
SPACE ALBUM
ASTEROIDS
FLIGHT SIMULATOR
WIZARD & PRINCESS
SARGON2
HI RES FOOTBALL
MYSTERY HOUSE

$ 120.00
$159.00
$269.00
$259.00
$169.00
$ 49.00
$ 29.00
$ CALL

$ 22.95
$ 35.00
$ 17.95
$ 29.00
$ 28.00
$ 29.00
$ 35.00
$ 21.00

For fast delivery, send certified checks, money orders or call to arrange direct bank wire transfers. Personal or company checks require two
to three weeks to clear. All prices are mail order only and are subject to change without notice. Call for shipping charges.

dealer (national/international) inquiries invited Send for FREE Catalogue

f*pi I T0 ORDER CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-343-6522

I I Iv TWX: 710-348-1796 Massachusetts Residents call 617/242-

5 Dexter Row, Dept. IA07M
Charlestown. Massachusetts 02129
Hours 10AM-6PM (EST) Mon.-Fri. (Sat. till 5)

Technical Information call 617/242-3361
Massachusetts Residents add 5% Sales Tax
Tandy Corporation Trademark/® Digital Research

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 94

INTERFACE AGE 123

SIMPLY

BEAUTIFUL.

CF&A furniture looks terrific. But
beauty is more than skin deep.
That’s why our line of desks,
stands, and enclosures also fea-
tures rugged construction, low
cost, and quick delivery. In a wide
range of sizes and configurations.
With accessories to meet your in-
dividual requirements. With a
smile and a thank you.

Call CF&A. We make it simple. We
make it beautiful.

CF & A

Computer Furniture and
Accessories, Inc.
1441 West 132nd Street
Gardena, CA 90249
(213) 327-7710

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 15

124 INTERFACE AGE

advanced graphics capability to create line,
curve, bar and pie charts for clarity and
impact in reports or presentations. The
system’s speed can be attributed to the
5 Vi -in. dual-drive flexible disc and its random
access capability. Random access enables
users to immediately jump to the file of your
choice and store, retrieve, sort, modify and
analyze large amounts of data. The disc’s
dual mass memory holds 270K bytes of
random access storage per drive for a total
of 540K bytes of memory. Prices: HP83—
$2,500; HP85— $3,250; HP 82901 M dual
drive disc — $2,500; IMPac software— $200;
mass storage ROM— $145. Hewlett-Packard,
1501 Page Mill Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94304,
(415) 857-1501.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 295

Fixed disk system, Discus M20, for S-100
bus microcomputers, runs under CP/M. The
system features a Fugitsu 2302 Winchester
style 8-in. hard disk drive with a data transfer
rate of up to 600,000 bytes per second. The
system delivers a full 20M bytes of formatted
storage (234M bytes unformatted) and may
be expanded up to 80M bytes by daisy-
chaining up to four disk drives. A single board,
S-100 intelligent controller supervises all data
transfers between the host and the M20
system via four I/O ports. The controller also
has the ability to generate system interrupts
at the completion of each data exchange
command. In addition, a 512-byte sector
buffer, with each sector individually write pro-
tectable, is located on-board for data base
security. Price: $4,795. Morrow Designs,
5221 Central Ave., Richmond, CA 94804.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 296

Terminal system lets the operator touch
the display screen to select the computer’s
next action. The system combines a touch
input screen with a CRT terminal. The touch
input system measures the position of a
finger touch on the CRT display, and
transmits a position code to the host
computer controlling the TST-40. Application
areas for the TST-40 include management
information systems, where an executive
needs an immediate response from a data
base without having to know system
commands or how to type. In medical data

base applications a patient can enter his own
medical history by answering a series of
questions without training and with a
frankness that may be unobtainable with a
medical interviewer. Medical staff can access
the data without extensive system training.
TSD Display Products, Inc., 35 Orville Dr.,
Bohemia, NY 11716, (516) 589-6800.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 297

Computing system, series 2000 model 4,
is a fully self-contained computer system

which includes a high-quality 25 by 80 CRT
display, full ASCII keyboard with many special
function keys for user-defined functions,
2 MHz 68B00 CPU, 64K bytes of RAM,
integral with 736 K bytes of formatted data
storage capacity. Up to 3 additional drives
may be added for a total of nearly 3M bytes
of online floppy disk. For users with greater

storage requirements, Winchester disks of
5, 10, and 20M-byte capacity are available.
Four major operating systems are available
for the model. MTS, Pascal, Forth, and FLEX
give the user free choice between assembly
language development, structured program-
ming, and high-performance interactive data
processing capability. Electronic Tool Co.,
4736 W. El Segundo Blvd., Hawthorne, CA
90250, (213) 644-0113.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 298

Small business system combines high
speed, high capacity, high reliability floppy
disk storage with a sophisticated error-
correction scheme, proven Z80-based pro-
cessor and extensive software. Vector
2600’s central unit is a Vector 3 console
with 12-in. VDT and keyboard, a Z80-based
single-board computer and 64K memory.
Mass storage units are dual, double-sided,
quad-density, 5 Va -in. floppy disks storing a
total of 1.2M bytes. A proprietary Vector

DualMode controller board to interface the
floppy disks to the central processor is used.
This DualMode controller board automatically
corrects up to five erroneous bits in every
256 bytes transferred from disk to CPU,
eliminating errors due to disk contamination,
aging, surface defects and all but the most
severe disk damage. Another DualMode con-
troller feature is 256-byte sector buffering,
enabling the 2600 to simultaneously handle
interrupts and data transfers in and out of
memory for communications tasks and other
real-time functions. Communications and
network applications for the 2600 are
feasible through its compatibility with all
existing Vector Graphic software. Price:
under $6,000. Vector Graphic Inc., 31364
Via Colinas, Westlake Village, CA 91362,
(213) 991-2302.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 299

JULY 1981

■■

Orange micro

“THE COMPUTER PRINTER
SPECIALISTS”

circle inquiry no. 109 up T0 25 % DISCOUNTS! — SAME DA Y SHIPMENT!

CENTRONICS 737 ( L ^=v)

Word Processing Print Quality

• 18 x 9 dot matrix; suitable for word
processing • Underlining • proportional
spacing • right margin justification • serif
typeface • 50/80 CPS • 9V2 n Pin
Feed/Friction feed • Reverse Platen •
80/132 columns

CENTRONICS 737-1 (Parallel) (List $995) $765

CENTRONICS 737-3 (Serial) (List $1045) $815

EPSON MX80/MX70

Low-Priced

Professional Print Quality

• 9 x 9 dot matrix • Lower case descenders

• 80 CPS • Bidirectional, Logic seeking •
40, 66, 80, 132 columns per line • 64 special
graphic characters: TRS-80 Compatible •
Forms handling • Multi-pass printing • Ad-
justable tractors

EPSON MX80 (List $645) $Call

EPSON MX 70 Dot graphics, 5x7 matrix (List $450) $Call

OKIDATA MICROLINE SERIES

TRS-80 Graphics Compatibility,
Friction Feed

• 9 x 7 dot matrix • 80 CPS • 80, 132
columns — 64 shapes for charts, graphs &
diagrams • Double wide characters • 6/8
lines per inch • Up to 3 part copy • Friction
& pin feed • 200 M character head warranty

OKIDATA MICROLINE 80 (List $800) $ 52 o

OKIDATA M82 Bidirectional, Forms handling (List $960) $750

OKIDATA M83 Wide carriage, 9 x 9 dot matrix (List $1260) $1050

IDS PAPER TIGERS

Dot Resolution Graphics, quality print, speed

• 7 wire printhead (445); 9 wire printhead
(460) with lower case descenders • Over
150 CPS • bi-directional, logic seeking
(460) • 8 character sizes; 80-132 columns

• Adjustable tractors • High-resolution dot
graphics • Proportional spacing & text
justification (460).

IDS 445G 7 wire printhead, graphics (List $895)

IDS 460G 9 wire printhead, graphics (List $1394)

IDS 560G 9 wire, wide carriage, graphics (List $1794)

CALL FOR FREE CATALOG

(800) 854-8275

CA, AK, HI (714) 630-3322

At Orange Micro, we try to fit the right printer to your application.
Call our printer specialists for free consultation.

VISTA — C. ITOH

Daisy Wheel Letter Quality

• 25 CPS (Optional 45 CPS) • Typewriter
quality • Centronics parallel • RS 232
Serial (Optional) • Proportional spacing •
Bidirectional • Programmable VFU • Self
test • Diablo compatible • Friction feed
(Optional tractors) • 136 printable

columns. • Manufactured by C. ITOH.

VISTA V300 (C. ITOH) (List $1895) $ Call

ANACOM

Low Cost, High Speed, Wide Carriage

• 9 x 9 dot matrix • Lower case descenders • Wide carriage •
Adjustable tractors to 16" • 150 CPS, Bidirectional, Logic Seeking

ANACOM 150 (List $1350) $ Call

ANADEX

Dot Graphics, Wide Carriage

• 1 1 x 9 dot matrix; lower case descenders • Dot resolution graphics

• Bi-directional, logic seeking • Up to 200 CPS • RS 232 Serial &
Parallel • Forms control • X-ON/X-OFF • Up to 6 part copy.

ANADEX 9501 (List $1650) $1350

Uec^pInwriter 1

High Speed Letter Quality

• 55 CPS • Typewriter quality • Bidirectional • Plotting • pro-
portional spacing.

5510-5 RO, Serial, w/tractors (List $2995) $2625

5530-5 RO, Parallel, w/tractors (List $2970) $2599

TELEVIDEO CRTS?

AT DISCOUNT PRICES!

IXlnlftSl Please Call Toll Free
TVI 920C f Prices are too low to

QUANTITY PRICING

PRINTERS

MALIBU 165 wide carriage, graphics, letter quality .. (List$2495) $1975
QUME 5/45 typewriter quality (List $2905) $ 2559

INTERFACE EQUIPMENT

I CCS APPLE PARALLEL Interface & cable $ 150

APPLE II -EPSON MX80

parallel interface board & cable $ 100

SSM AIO BOARD Apple Serial/parallel interface (List $225) $ 175

MICROTRONICS Atari parallel interface $ 69

ATARI 850 Interface module, serial/parallel $ 199

TRS-80 CABLES to keyboard or Exp. interface $ Call

NOVATION D-CAT direct connect modem $ Call

The Orange Micro Printer Store (Retail): —

Mon.-Fri. 10:00-6:00, Sat. til 4:00

Phone orders WELCOME; same
day shipment. Free use of VISA &
MASTERCARD. Personal checks
require 2 weeks to clear. Manu-
facturer’s warranty included on all
equipment. Prices subject to
revision.

Orange

fTlICrO, Inc/

3150 E. La Palma, Suite I
Anaheim, CA 92806

TOOLS/TEST

CP/M* SOFTWARE

ACCOUNTING

For The Small Business System

$ &£&

GENERAL LEDGER

>M Peachtree

$650

$40 1,8,9,13

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Peachtree

650

40 1,8,9,13

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Peachtree

650

40 1,8,9,13

PAYROLL

Peachtree

650

40 1,8,9,13

GENERAL LEDGER

IMS

600

40 1,7,9

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (B/F) IMS

600

40 1,7,9

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (01) IMS

600

40 1.7,9

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

IMS

600

40 1,7,9

PAYROLL

IMS

600

40 1,7,9

JOB ACCOUNTING

IMS

600

40 1,7,9

GENERAL BUSINESS SYSTEMS

PROP. MANAGEMENT Peachtree

$990

$40 1,8,9,13

INVENTORY CONTROL

Peachtree

700

40 1,8,9,13

MFG. INVENTORY CONTROL IMS

650

75 1,7,9

MEDICALDENTAL SYSTEM IMS

600

75 1,7,9

WHOLESALE RETAIL DISTRIBUTION. IMS

600

75 1,7,9

STUDENT RECORDS SCHEDULING IMS

550

50 1,7,9

LANGUAGES

nAPL

Softronics

$350

$30 2,5

BASIC COMPILER

Microsoft

350

25 2,5,9

BASIC-80

Microsoft

325

25 2,5,9

S-BASIC

Topaz

295

25 2,9

CBASIC-2

. Compiler Systems

120

20 5

C COMPILER

Whitesmith

630

30 4,9

TINY C-ll

Tiny C Assoc.

250

25 2,5,13

BDSC

Tiny C Assoc.

145

25 2,5

COBOL-80

Microsoft

700

25 2,5,9

NEVADA COBOL

Ellis

150

25 2,5

TIMIN FORTH

Timin Eng

110

20 2,6

Z80 FORTH

. Lab. Microsystems

100

25 2,6

FORTRAN-80

Microsoft

425

25 2,5,9

muLISP

Microsoft

200

15 2.5,9

PASCAL Z

Ithaca

395

25 3,17

PASCAL MT + ®

. . MT Microsystems

250

30 3,5,12

PASCAL'M’-

Sorcim

175

30 3,12

PL/1-80

. . . Digital Research

500

40 2,6,9,11

MODELING, PLANNING & ANALYSIS

MINI-MODEL Financial Plan Assoc.

$495

$50 1,7,9

DATEBOOK

. Organic Software

295

30 1

MILESTONE

. Organic Software

295

30 1

MICROSTAT

Ecosoft

250

25 9,15

muSIMP/muMATH

Microsoft

250

20 2,5,9

WORKSHEET

SoHo Group

200

20 1,9,7 or 8

REPORT WRITER

Carolina Bus. Sys.

150

25 1,8

MAILING LIST

MAILING ADDRESS

Peachtree

$530

$40 5,8,9,13

POSTMASTER

Teratek

150

20 2,5,7

MAILING LIST MANAGEMENT IMS

150

40 5,7,9

MAIL-MERGE'“ FOR WORDSTAR Micropro

150

15 5,7,9

NAD Structured Systems Group

100

20 2,5,9

SUPER-M-LIST

Supersoft

100

10 2

★★★ BONUS ★★★

• CHOOSE 1 BOOK LISTED FOR EACH ITEM
ORDERED OVER $200

• 5% DISCOUNT ON ORDERS OVER $1000

• 10% DISCOUNT ON ORDERS OVER $1500

• DISCOUNT COUPONS FOR YOUR NEXT ORDER

• ★ LIMITED OFFER

ORDER INFORMATION

• CALL TOLL FREE 800 538-3160

• CALIF (408) 996-8560

• OVERSEAS — ADD $10 + SHIPPING HANDLING

• SHIPPING HANDLING-ADD $2.50 PER ITEM

• CALIF. RESIDENTS— ADD 6k% SALES TAX

• ALLOW 2-4 WEEKS DELIVERY

• PAYMENT— PREPAY, CHECK. MONEY ORDER, UPS C.O.D.

• ALL ITEMS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

• ALL PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

• ALL ORDERS SHIPPED UPS. F O B. SAN JOSE

• 90 DAY WARRANTY

• MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS AVAILABLE

• MOST DISK FORMATS AVAILABLE

• MANUAL ORDERS WILL BE APPLIED TO SOFTWARE
PURCHASES WITHIN 90 DAYS

• THE SALE OF EACH SOFTWARE CONVEYS A LICENSE
FOR USE ON ONE SYSTEM ONLY

WORD/TEXT PROCESSING

WORDSTAR-

Micropro

$495

$40 5,9,10

SPELLBINDER

Lexisoft

495

35 2,5,14

MAGIC WAND '

SBA

395

40 2,5,9,10

DATASTAR-

Micropro

350

35 5,9,10

SPELLGUARD

ISA

295

25 2,5,14

LETTERIGHT

. Structured Systems Group

200

15 1.2, 7, 9

W0RDSEARCH

Keybits

195

40 2,5,14

TEXTWRITER III

Organic Software

125

30 2,5,14

TEX

Digital Research

100

15 5,9,11

DATA/FILE MANAGEMENT

CONDOR-II

Condor Computer

$955

$50 1,9

CONDOR-1

Condor Computer

695

35 1,9

PRISM IMS'-

Micro Appl Group

495

55 1,7,9

SELECTOR IV’*

Micro-Ap

495

25 1,3,7,10

T.I.M.

Innovative Software

400

25 1,15

CBS

DMA

395

40 1,9

GLOBAL

Global Parameters

300

30 1,7,9

MAGSAMIV^ .

Micro Appl Group

295

25 1,7,9

MICRO B +

Fair Com

260

15 3,9,16

ANALYST

. Structured Systems Group

250

15 1,7,9

WHATSIT?’-

Hardhat

175

25 2,5,7

INFORMATION MASTER Is. Cyber.

100

20 2.5

SOFTWARE DEV TOOLS/UTILITIES

TEX

. Digital Research

$100

$10 5,9,11

ZSID

. Digital Research

100

10 5,9,11

MAC

. Digital Research

15 5,9,11

SID

. Digital Research

10 5,9,11

DESPOOL

. Digital Research

- 5,9,11

MACRO-80

Microsoft

200

15 2,5.9

EDIT-80

Microsoft

120

15 2,5,9

IBM2CPM Precision Comp. Sys.

100

20 2.5

RAID Southern Computer

250

25 2

DIAGNOSTIC II

Supersoft

100

15 2

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

CP MODEM

. Information Eng

$300

$20 9

TERM

Supersoft

150

15 2,13

ASCOM

DMA

100

25 9

COMMX

Hawkeye

100

20 9

ITERM

Infosoft

100

15 2.9

SORTING

SUPERSORT 1^

Micropro

$225

$25 5,9

ULTRASORT II

Computer Control

195

25 7,9

QSORT Structured Systems Group

100

20 2,5,9

BOOKS

CP/M HANDBOOK

Sybex

$13.95

CP/M USERS GUIDE

Osborne

12.99

CP/M PRIMER

Sams

11.95

CP/M SUMMARY GUIDE

Rainbow

4.95

PRACTICAL BASIC PROG

Osborne

15.95

FIFTY BASIC EXERCISES

Sybex

12.95

BASIC PROGRAMMING PRIMER

Sams

10.95

BASIC BUSINESS SOFTWARE

Sams

8.95

PASCAL PRIMER

Sams

16.95

PASCAL HANDBOOK

Sybex

14.95

INTRO TO PASCAL

Sybex

12.95

PROGRAMMING THE Z80

Sybex

8.95

YOUR FIRST COMPUTER

Sybex

7.95

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS— All software requires a CP/M
operating system as well as indicated requirements listed below:

1. RECOMMENDED SYSTEM-CP/M 1 4 OR HIGHER. 48K MEMORY.
200K DUAL DISKS, 24 x 80 CURSOR ADDRESSABLE TERMINAL.

132 COLUMN PRINTER

2. 48K MEMORY OR HIGHER

3 56K MEMORY OR HIGHER

4 64K MEMORY OR HIGHER
5. CP/M 1 4 OR HIGHER

6 CP/M 2.0 OR HIGHER
7. C BASIC-2

8 BASIC-80 (MBASIC) 4.51

9 SIGNED LICENSE REQUIRED BEFORE SHIPMENT

10. CURSOR ADDRESSABLE TERMINAL

1 1 . CP M SERIAL # REQUIRED

12. SPECIFY Z80, 8080. OR CDOS

13 SUPPLIED IN SOURCE CODE

14 COMPATIBLE WORDTEXT PROCESSOR
15. BASIC-80 (MBASIC) 5 0 OR HIGHER

16 MUST SPECIFY HOST APPLICATION LANGUAGE

17 REQUIRES Z80 CPU

CP/M IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF DIGITAL RESEARCH
Z80 IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ZILOG INC
DESIGNATES NAME IS TRADEMARKED BY MFG

CORNERSTONE SOFTWARE

PO BOX 5151 • SAN JOSE, CA 95150

TOLL FREE 800 538-3160 CALIF (408) 996-8560

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 98

Industrial tools include press on plastic
tipped hammers, screw on plastic tipped
hammers, plastic mallets, lead hammers, and
brass and copper hammers; hickory handles
are available in the complete line and many

have fiberglass handles with rubber grips
optional. Also the “z” hex wrench for both
fractional and metric screws is added. Clamp
Manufacturing Co., Inc., 1503 Adelia St., S.
El Monte, CA 91733, (213) 579-5379.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 300

Machine diagnostic programs for Z80

microcomputers are running under the Digital
Research CP/M 2.2 operating system. Test
configuration is controlled by the operator
by keyboard entries, and detected errors
may be audited on the system console or list
device. Laboratory Microsystems, 4147
Beethoven St., Los Angeles, CA 90066.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 301

Packaged prototype system, for imple-
menting industrial and other applications
using STD bus micro cards, includes all
components necessary to implement a stand-
alone Z80 STD bus system using a Radio
Shack TRS-80 for editing, assembling, and
console operations during program develop-
ment. TRS Proto includes the Mostek MDX-
CPU2 card and the Xitex XTDTRS interface
card; a 6-slot STD card cage with wire wrap
and extender cards; static RAMs with custom
address PROM and interface cable for the
TRS-80; Mostek DDT-80 debug operating

system in ROM; and floppy diskette (514 -in.)
containing driver software for the TRS-80.
The package is available in both a 2.5 MHz
configuration and a 4.0 MHz configuration.
Both systems operate from a single + 5V sup-
ply and may be used with any of the more than
100 different STD bus compatible I/O cards.
Price: $895 for 2.5 MHz and $1 ,040 for 4.0
MHz. QC Microsystems, P.O. Box 401326,
Garland, TX 75040, (214) 343-1282.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 302

126 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

Step Into The World of
Microcomputing

With Data Dynamics Technology

Your First Computer

by Rodnay Zaks

Order No. 17,014 258 pages $7.95

This book explains what a computer system is, what it can do, how it works
and how to select the various components and peripheral units. Written in
everyday language, the book is a comprehensive and enlightening guide to
the world of small computers. Whether you are using a computer, thinking
about using one or considering purchasing one, this book is indispensable.

The 8080A Bugbook:

Microcomputer Interfacing and Programming

by Peter R. Rony, David G. Larsen, and Jonathan A. Titus
Order No. 10,001 416 pages $10.50

The principles, concepts, and applications of an 8-bit microcomputer based
on the 8080 micrprocessor 1C chip. The emphasis is on the computer as a
controller. Intended to help develop the skills needed to use an
8080-based breadboard microcomputer system.

ISi^imu'r»Ouitle to

COMPUTER

PROGRAMMING

~ , ~r -j

8C8Ca
EWGBCCr

MICROCOMPUTER
INTERFACING
AND

30GRAMMING

Beginner’s Guide to Computer Programming

by Bruce Ward

Order No. 13,003 480 pages $9.95

A primer for learning computer programming from the ground up. Instead
of attempting to explain programming in terms of language, the author
pursues his subject from the viewpoint of program requirements. Instead
of working backward from a language, the book begins by developing a
simple programming language of its own, determines a need, then gives
the instruction.

DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY P.O. Box 1217, Cerritos, CA 90701

Name (Print)

Address

City State Zip.

Please send me:

Order #

Qty

Price

Total

Order #

Qty

Price

Total

Shipping & Handling Charges $1.50ea. U.S., $2.50 ea. Foreign

TOTAL ORDER $_
*TAX $.

SHIPPING & HANDLING $.
TOTAL ENCLOSED $

□ Check or M.O.(U.S. Funds drawn on U.S. bank)

Exp. Date Signature

•California residents add 6% sales tax. Availability and prices quoted subject to change without notice.

Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. You may photocopy this page if you wish to keep your INTERFACE AGE intact.

Orders cannot be shipped unless accompanied by payment, including shipping & handling and tax where applicable.

DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY, A Division of INTERFACE AGE Magazine (213) 926-9548

SUPERBRAIN

Bv INTERTEC

64K Double or Quad Density units available. Uses
two Z-80 CPU’s. Commercial-type terminal with
12” monitor. Dual double density minifloppies.
Over 350 kilobytes of storage (twice that with quad
density drives). Two serial RS232 ports, I/O ports
standard. Expandable with optional S-100
interface. Comes with CP/MTM 2.2 operating sys-
tem. MiniMicroMart can supply a wide range of
CP/M development and application software.

w/64K Double Density, List $3495 . . $2869
w/64K Quad Density, List $3995 $3395

HEWLETT-PACKARD

HP-85A _ Desk-Top

HP83 List $2250 $1899

F.O.B. shipping point. All prices subject to change and all
offers subject to withdrawal without notice. Advertised prices
are for prepaid orders. Credit card and C.O.D. 2% higher.
C.O.D. may require deposit.

- WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG -

MiniMicroMart

1618 James Street
Syracuse, NY 13203 (315) 422-4467

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 106

EIA crossover switch allows the operator
to exchange two terminals with two modems.
The entire 25-line interface is switched. All
interface connections are made at the rear
panel of the module. Two 25-pin connectors
mounted on the front panel allow monitoring

of each modem-terminal interface. The
dimensions of the model 8539-D are 7 in. W
by 3 In. H by 7V , 2 in. D (1 7.8 cm W by 7.6 cm H
by 19.1 cm D) and the unit weighs approx-
imately 2 pounds (0.91 Kg). Price: $350.
International Data Sciences, Inc., 7 Wellington
Rd., Lincoln, Rl 02865, (401) 333-6200.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 303

Monitor is designed for the TRS-80 model I.
Fully compatible with level II Basic and all
popular disk operating systems, Tasmon
incorporates a disassembler, complete with
labels and all standard monitor commands.
Available are a variety of input/output choices.
Tracing and memory modification are
facilitated, and other programs in memory can
be relocated on command. Tasmon comes
with over 40 pages of written documen-
tation. Some features include: computes
starting, ending and transfer addresses with
optional loading to memory and optional off-
set to avoid conflicts with programs already
In memory; allows interfacing with user
routines; has all standard monitor commands;
supports upper and lower case; supports any
combination of I/O between disk, memory,
printer and tape for system programs or
disassembly; hexadecimal addition and sub-
traction; memory can be searched for up to
4 contiguous bytes; 9 interactive break-
points; program can be traced by either
single stepping or continuously with 8
selectable speeds; calls can be stepped
through or executed in full; while single-
stepping you may skip the current instruc-
tion or backup to the previous one. The
Alternate Source, 1806 Ada St., Lansing, Ml
48910, (517) 487-3358.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 304

Single unit module enables safe, transient-
protected and compatible data transmission

between RS232C DCE/DTE devices. The
OPTQ232 series solves ground loop inter-

ference problems with noise suppression
and 2,500V isolation between DCE and DTE
ground. As short haul modems this series
allows extended data path lengths to 2,000
ft. with high transmission rates up to 40K
baud/second per signal line. Select models
with two to twelve data/signal lines ASYNCH
and ten and twelve lines SYNCH. Each
module is built with high quality, state-of-the-
art electronic components to ensure a long,
reliable life. MOV transient protection for
greater levels of protection is optional and
custom configurations are available. The
devices are designed to meet CSA specifica-
tions. Price: from $215. Interface of Illinois,
9020 Niles Center Rd., Skokie, IL 60076,
(312) 883-1700.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 305

SOFTWARE

BUSINESS

Billing system for one to ten physicians
handies 7000 accounts and 2000 trans-
actions per billing period. Medicare, Medicaid,
Medi-Cal, and Blue Cross forms are filled out
at the touch of a key by Med-Apple. The
insurance companies can be billed daily,
weekly, or monthly at the doctor’s discretion.
Up to 300 charge (RVS) codes can be
defined to the system by the doctor(s).
These charges can be used for services,
supplies, lab, X-rays or any items the patient
is to be billed for. At the end of the month a
report is generated which shows M-T-D, and
Y-T-D activity of any particular charge code.
Reports can be generated at any time to
show physician activity for amounts billed
and cash receipts. The system also includes
automatic 30, 60, 90+ day aging with a
delinquency report. The minimum system
requirements are an Apple II Plus (48K)
with three disk drives. The system also
operates on the Apple III and the Corvus
hard disk. Professional Medical Software,
3604 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta, CA
91214, (213) 248-2884.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 307

Accounting software package is designed
for the management and control of mini-
warehouse or self-service storage facilities.
Mini-Warehouse System (MWS) is compatible
with the Radio Shack TRS-80 model II when
run under CP/M. MWS is a general ledger
accounting system that keeps track of all
income and all expenses and provides
accounting information with a trial balance,
balance sheet, profit and loss statements,
budgeting. Additional financial information
is immediately available at all times from the
system. The system stores information on
tenants that can be recalled at any time to be
viewed on the screen or printed. A 1 2-month
rent receipts history is kept for each unit,
along with name, address, telephone number,
monthly rent, security deposits and additional
fields that are user defined. Tenants can be
billed showing current status, arrears,
balance due and a late charge can also be
added. The package will produce exception
reports like a list of dellquent tenants, vacant
units, movein dates, etc. A checkwriter that
automatically prints vendor names and
addresses on the checks is included. Major
vendors can be entered into the system
showing their name and address, telephone

128 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

/ We're the \

WY f / / APPLE*Specialist. We

/ / / screen a complete line of software,

/ / hardware and accessories for your APPLE

/ Then we offer you only the best from all
major manufacturers... Rainbow Computing
(Write-On!, A Stellar Trek, Bowling
Data System...), Apple Computer,

FOR YOUR
APPLE COMPUTER

FROM

TO YOU

Adventureland, Automated Simulations,
On-Line Systems, Synergistics, Muse,
Mountain Hardware, Broderbund,
Sirius, Programma, Hayden,
m » Strategic Simulations...

RAINBOW COMPUTING

INC.

CALL OR WRITE TODAY
FOR YOUR FREE CATALOG !

Garden Plaza Shopping Center
9719 Reseda Boulevard, Dept. IAA
Northridge, California 91324
Phone U.S.A. (except Calif.) (800) 423-5441
California and Foreign (213) 349-0300
For technical questions: Phone (213) 349-5560

Open Tuesday to Friday 10 AM to 5 PM

f|cippkz computer inc.

♦APPLE IS THE REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF APPLE COMPUTER INC.

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 129

■MM

®SSai

COMPUTERS

Intertec Superbrain SPECIALS

64K Ram, List $3495 $2595

64K Quad, List $3995 $2995

NorthStar

Horizon I 32K DD List $2695 $1989*

Horizon I QD Lisl $2995 $2245*

Horizon 2 32DD List $3095 $2289*

IntersystemDPS-l List $1749 $1495*

Call for latest NorthStar and
Intersystem Prices

Cromemco Z-2H, List $9995 $7945

System 2, 64K List $4695 $3749

System 3, 64K, List $7995 $6395

Disk Systems

Thinker Toys Discus 2D $939

Dual Discus 2D $1559

Discus 2 + 2, List $1549 $1259

M26 Hard Disk, List $4995 $3949

Printers & Terminals

Paper Tiger IDS-445 $649

with graphic opton $719

Centronics 730-1, List $795 $549

737-1, List $995 $769

704-9 180 cps $1495

703-9 180 cps $1569

TI810, List $1895 $1489

NEC SPINWRITER 5530 $2395

NEC SPINWRITER 5515 $2395

Diablo 630 List $271 1 $2399

Intertube III List $895 $729

Zenith Z-19 $719

Televideo 912C $679

920C $799

950 $999

Hazeltine 1420 $789

1500 $845

Soroc 120 List $995 $689

IQ135 $719

140 $994

Computers

Wholesale

Pa Box 144 Camillus, NY 13031

S' (315) 472-2582

Most items in stock for immediate delivery Factory sealed cartons,
w/full factory warranty. NYS residents add appropriate sales tax.
Prices do not include shipping VISA and Master Charge add 3%
CO D orders require 25% deposit Prices subiect to change without
notice

number and the year to date payments will
automatically be kept. All cash disbursements
can be allocated up to nine different expense
accounts. The system will automatically notify
the user when cash disbursements is greater
than available cash in the bank. The chart of
accounts is completely user defined and
financial statements can be customized to
show income, cost, and profit centers. The
system is completely interactive with all
actions prompted and led via questions and
choices displayed to the user on the system
video terminal screen. The MWS software
package requires a Z80, 8080, or 8085 based
microcomputer and 48K of memory, dual
diskette drives, an 80 column by 24 line
video terminal, and an 80-column printer.
A-T Enterprises, 221 N. Lois, La Habra, CA
90631, (213) 947-2762.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 308

Client write-up system for CP/M based sys-
tems targets the certified public accountant.
The general ledger system includes a video
journal entry program with automatic paging,
on-line account verification, automatic journal
balancing and control over nine separate
journal books. The working reports generated
include a general ledger detail, working trail
balance and general ledger summary. Reports
can be directed to a VDT screen or printer.
Report headings, titles and format are under
user control through the master chart of
accounts. More than 21 financial reports and
26 supporting schedules are available in
either hard copy or video screen presenta-
tions. Micronetics, Inc., 1926 Hollywood
Blvd., Suite 328, Hollywood, FL 33020,
(305) 925-2333.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 309

Basic text editor provides full screen text
editing of level 2 or disk Basic programs.
The editor’s four operating modes and 31
easy to learn commands can double pro-
grammer productivity. The cursor can be
moved to any position on the screen, which
can be scrolled up or down through the
program text. Characters can be inserted,
deleted, or changed and it is also possible to
insert, delete, copy, or move entire lines or
blocks of lines. Line number references are
automatically updated throughout the text as
such changes are made. Also provided are
global search and change commands and 26
user-definable macro keys. It is available for
TRS-80 model I ($24.95) and model III
($29.95). Computer Applications Unlimited,
Box 214, Rye, NY 10580.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 310

Modular editor/assembler for the TRS-80,
M-ZAL, is available for the model I (M-ZAL-T 1 )
and the model 3 (M-ZAL-T3). The disk based
package includes full screen option menus,
full screen text editor, and object module
linker. The assembler produces system
tapes, CMD files, and relocation/external
symbol files. The object module linker allows
the user to relocate independent program
modules and link them together, thus creating
larger and more complex programs. Source
programs are not limited by memory size and
can also be linked together via the assem-
bler’s * INCLUDE command. Extensive listing
control features are supported, as well as 8
character labels and an alphabetical symbol
table and cross-reference. Price: $149.
Computer Applications Unlimited, Box 214,
Rye, NY 10580.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 311

Mailing label and filing system is a 3-part
system that is extremely dynamic and allows
you to manipulate your files in dozens of
ways. Features include: user-formatted defi-
nition of files (up to 18 fields); binary sorting
(find a record by name in 1 -2 seconds); alpha-
betical directory of all files (read it starting
with any letter in the alphabet, and in reverse);
COUNT/SORT (pull a certain population
from the file, display, print out complete
records, or print mailing labels); special
practice mailing label program; edit section
(includes delete with special hole-plugging
feature); 2 types of back up programs;
optional “slug-line" for your mailing labels
(also optional “Contact Person” or “Position”
lines); COUNT/SORT using as many as 9
variables with as many as 9 values for each,
plus 3 optional range-sorts; automatically-run
variables text file (keeps track of your for-
matting and the total number of records
entered); slot and drive are user formatted;
and up to 980 records on a disk. Price:
$59.95 Avant-Garde Creations, Box 30160,
Eugene, OR 97403, (503) 345-3043.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 312

Filing system, Video Librarian, is designed
to end the headaches of maintaining an up-
to-date accurate file of video cassette
programs and tapes. The program can
handle plot summaries, movie ratings, editing
codes, running lengths, audience rating
codes, hard copy print-outs, personal nota-
tions, and more. Video Librarian stores
hundreds of titles and lists out by over fifteen
Individually retrievable variables. It can even
perform some calculations to save valuable
tape time by helping you distribute your taped
programs more efficiently on cassettes.
Price: $20. Softronix, Suite 1 000, 4600 Park
Rd., Charlotte, NC 2821 1 , (704) 334-1958.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 313

Word processor, Letter Perfect, is char-
acter-oriented and runs on an Apple II and
Apple II Plus with DOS 3.3, with 40/80
columns. Fast action (machine language),
menu-driven, single load program, with 34K
free, it requires Paymar LCA, one disk drive,
and 32K memory. Includes one time con-
figuration for your system, printer type, etc.
and can be reconfigured at any time.
Includes right hand justification and
supports incremental spacing, underlining,
boldface with NEC or Qume/Diablo. It will
use the special print characters of any
printer. Key codes make mnemonic sense
for easy use. All text is packed during saving
for greater disk storage capacity. Includes
full typewritten page of buffer space for
easy manuscript editing. Screen format
allows you to preview printed text. Price:
$150. LJK Enterprises, Box 10827, St.
Louis, MO 63129, (314) 846-6124.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 314

Keyed file system for the TRS-80 models I,
II, and III, KFS-80, provides the Basic pro-
grammer with the ability to rapidly insert or
access keyed records in one or more data
files. Features include: easy to use Basic
interface; records are maintained in sorted
order by a specified key; records may be
inserted or retrieved by supplying the key;
records may be retrieved sequentially in
sorted order; binary tree index system
provides consistently rapid access to any
file, regardless of the number of records;
and multiple index files can be easily created

130 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 97

JULY 1981

FUTRA COMPANY
P. O. BOX 4380
DEPARTMENT I
TORRANCE, CA 90510

(213) 370-2933

APPLE II PLUS
COMPUTER

48 K Apple II ....$1169.95

Disk II W/Int 525.00

Disk II 455.00

Graphics Tablet 650.00

Language System . . 395.00

Parallel I/O 149.00

H.S. Serial 159.00

Centronics 1/0 179.00

Integer Firmwar 152.00

Applesoft Firmw ... 152.00
Communications . . . 179.00

Silentype 519.00

Sup R Mod 29.00

JIDEX VIDEOTERM

80X24

Display

$279

)X12 Dot Matrix with upper and lower
;ase and graphics capability. Use
vith Z80 business software on your
\pple with the Z80 softcard

CCS SI 00
Z80 CPU

MODEL # 2810A

$249

yifiiiil'iiiiSH

Npm

)n board serial I/O, on board 2K
tom monitor, power on jumps, full
luffering of data and address lines.
Assembled and tested.

MICROSOFT 16K
RAMCARD
$159

Add 16K of Ram to your 48K
apple. Use it to load Intger,
Applesoft or MBASIC. Perfect for
jse with the Z80 softcard and
MBASIC.

Research Science
Inc Peachtree/40
Software

• General Ledger . . . $219.00

• Accts Receivable ... 219.00

• Accts Payable 219.00

• Payroll 219.00

• Inventory 219.00

• Mailing List 219.00

NORTHSTAR
HORIZON II

32 K Dual Density $2295.00
32K Quad Density . 2695.00
32 K Ram 450.00

ATARI 800
Personal Computer

16K Color

$785

Includes: Computer, basic
cartridge, programming manual,
operators manual, RF Mod/Switch.

CCS GPIB IEEE
(488) Interface
Card

MODEL # 7490

$249

Up to 15 interconnected controllers,
talkers, and/or listeners can be
interfaced. Controls counters, signal
generators, digital Multimeters, color
graphics ETC. Includes 3 FT cable.

CCS Apple Boards

7114A 12K Prom
7424A Cal/Clock .
7440A Prog Timer
7470A A/D Conv .
771 0A Serial Asyn
771 2A Serial Sync
7720A Parallel . . .
7728A Centronics
781 IB Arith Proc

$ 69.00
. 99.00
. 89.00
. 95.00

129.00

149.00
. 99.00
. 99.00

325.00

Mountain
Computers Inc

• Romplus $169.00

• Romwriter 149.00

• Music System 495.00

• Apple Clock 249.00

• 100K Day Clock . . .309.00

• Introl System 244.00

• X/10 Control 179.00

ABT 10 Key Pad ....$115.00

ABT Bar Wand $175.00

DC Hayes Mod II .... $335.00

Personal Software
for Apple II

Hewlit Packard

HP85 Desk Top
Computer

$2650

Self contained unit includes: Console,
CRT, Printer, Tape Recorder. Comes
with BASIC and is compatible with
a variety of HP peripherals. Call or
write for more information.

APPLE II Software

• Apple Adventure ... $22.00

• Apple Bowl 15.00

• Shell Games 27.00

• Dos 3.3 55.00

• Dos Tool Kit 70.00

• Apple Fortran 175.00

• Apple Pilot 135.00

• Apple Plot 70.00

• The Cashier 199.00

• the Controller 550.00

• Apple Writer 59.00

• Tax Planner 109.00

MICROSOFT Z80
SOFTCARD

with MBasic and CP/M

$259

Now you can run Z80 or 8080
software on your apple. Includes
card, Diskette, and manuals for
the CP/M and MBASIC.

CCS S-100
FLOPPY DISK
CONTROLLER

MODEL 2422A

$349

Supports up to four drives in any
combination of 5" and 8” single-
or double-sided drives, reads and
writes soft-sectored diskettes formatted
to the IBM* standards for single-
and double-density diskettes, and
come fully supported with Rom-
Resident firmware and a copy of
CP/M* 2.2 on disk.

MICROMATION
SI OO Z80 CPU
With

64K Memory
$1895.00

Use multiple CPU’S in a single
SI 00 mainframe to provide each
user with a dedicated CPU with
64 K of memory.

TELEVIDEO CRT

MODEL # 920C

$895.00

Scotch Diskettes

Box of 10

Soft, 10 or 16 Sector

• Visicalc 3.3

$175.00

5 Va " o. 10 or 16 . . . .
8" SS/SD o Sec

.... S27.00
31.00

• CCA Data MGT .

. . 84.00

SS/DD 0 Sec

37.00

• Desk Top Plan II

. 185.00

DS/DD No Sec

44.00

5 Va" Sleeves (10) . .

S6.95

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 102

CCS SIOO
MAINFRAME

MODEL # 2200

$374

12 Slot Mother Board, Active
Ternination, card guides. Power
Supply with + &-16V & 4 AMPS and
8V & 20 AMPS, assembled and tested.

TARBELL
SIOO Z80 CPU

WITH MEMORY
MANAGEMENT

$399.00

Dynamic mapping of logical to
1 megabyte of physical memory
in 4K blocks. Designed to
implement multiuser operating
system such as the MP/M.
Includes two serial I/O ports.

CCS Intergrated
Computer

MODEL # 2210A

$1799

Mainframe, Z80 CPU, 64K
memory, Disk Controller, RS232
cable, flopy disk cables, CP/M2.2.
Integrated, tested and shipped
with cables installed.

TARBELL
SIOO BOARDS

32K Static Ram

Floppy Disk Interface $649.00
Double Density $445.00

EPSON MX80/FT
PRINTER

DOT MATRIX

9X9 Dot Matrix printhead offers
40, 60. 80, 132 column with multiple
Font capabilities. 50 million character
life printhead can be replaced for less
then $30. Requires parallel interface.

Epson/Apple MX80
Interface $99

TEXAS

Instrument Printer

MODEL # 820 R/O

$1795.00

CORVUS
HARD DISK

10 MEGABYTE

$4350

Winchester drive for Apple or
S100 computer. Please specify.

CCS S-100
64K Dynamic Ram

MODEL 2065A

$549

The 2065 provides your S-100
system with 64 K of fast, reliable
memory. Compatible with the IEEE
proposed STD. Features 4116-Type
dynamic rams, use with A 4
MHZ CPU.

CCS S-100 Boards

• 2032A 32K Static Memory $544.00

• 2501A Motherboard . $109.00

• 271 0A 4-Port Serial . . $260.00

• 271 8A Serial/

Parallel Interface $275.00

• 2720A 4-Port Parallel 1/0 $194.00

SANYO 12”
Green Screen
Monitor

FUTRA PRICE $285

800 Line Resolution monitor with
green phosphoric screen for pleasant
viewing. Perfect for new 80 by 24
video boards.

Sanyo 9”

B&W Monitor ...$190.00
Leedex 12"

B&W Monitor . . .$155.00

Shugart Associate
801 /R Disk Drives

INCLUDES: Power Supply,
Case, Cable, and Doc-
umentation.

1 DRIVE $795.00

2 DRIVES $1195.00

TRADEMARKS
CP/M -Digital Research
Apple 11-Apple Computer Inc.
Peachtree- Retail

Sciences Inc.

Mail Order Terms of Sale: Price based on prepaid orders. NO COD's. Visa or
Master Charge orders add 3% to purchase price. Allow 14 working days for
personal and company checks to clear. Order under $100.00 add $3.00 for
shipping and handling. All orders (unless specified in ad) within Continental
U S. shipped U.P.S. no charge. AP0 or out of Continental U.S. write or call
for shipping charges. All prices subject to change and all offers subject to
withdrawl without notice. CA residents add 6% sales tax.

These are just a few of our many
fine offers - computers, periph-
erals, modems, printers, disc
drives and an unusual selection
of package values. Call TOLL
FREE today and check us out for
price and warranty.

Pure Radio Shack equipment warranteed
at any Radio Shack store or dealer' Fac-
tory warrantees on Apple and Atari equip-
ment. Other equipment carries manufac-
turer's warranty or Computer Plus 180
day extended warranty. Combined war-
rantees carry Computer Plus 180 day war-
ranty or original manufacturer'swarranty.

DEALER INQUIRIES ARE INVITED

Prices subject to change without notice.

TRS-80 is a registered trademark of Tandy Corp.

call TOLL FREE

1 - 800 - 343-8124

Dept. L

245A Great Road
Littleton, MA 01460

( 617 ) 486-3193

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 96

132 INTERFACE AGE

that allow access of a single database by
multiple keys, such as by both name and zip
code. Prices: model I and III, $100; model II,
$175. Racet Computes, 1330 N. Glassell,
Suite M, Orange, CA 92667.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 316

Graphing program features menu driven
options that provide a powerful tool that can
be used immediately with no loss of valuable
time. Data-Plot is useful for plotting of
numerical information. Plot displays range
from single line or bar charts to multiple line,
additive bars as well as mixed line and bar
formats. Scatter diagrams and pie charts are
also easily created. Basic statistics are
calculated for each display. Automatic and
manual scaling and labeling are provided. All
figures may be output to a Trendcom or
Silentype printer or saved as a hi-res picture.
Price: $59.95 for any Apple computer with
Applesoft ROM and 48K. Muse Software,
330 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201,
(301) 659-7212.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 317

Small business software is available for
the Atari 800. Microledger performs trial
balances, produces profit and loss state-
ments and balance sheets, as well as out-
putting an audit trail. The features specific to
it are options allowing the user to quickly and
easily review and update any records in the
journal or chart of accounts, a running
balance column in the journal which shows
the user on the input whether or not the
journal is balanced, and numerous error
traps alerting the user to improper inputs.
Price: $140. Compumax Inc., P.O. Box 1139,
Palo Alto, CA 94301, (415) 321-2881.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 318

Financial software package designed spe-
cifically for mortgage and finance companies
performs all of the record keeping and
servicing of trust deed loans as well as the
maintaining of the investor records. Financier
system produces: investor checks, trustor
payment receipts, investor monthly and or
quarterly reports, trust deed listings by
maturity date, dunning letters (collection
letters), check register, interest register,
profit and loss statements, and balance
sheet. The system is designed to run on
CP/M or MP/M operating systems and is
supplied in compiled form. All ABS software
is hard-disk compatible and supports multi-
user application. Applied Business Software,
15614 S. Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 104,
Lawndale, CA 90260, (213) 679-0651.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 319

Client write-up system designed for the
certified public accountant integrates all
write-up function into an easy to use auto-
mated system. This general ledger system
includes: unique video journal entry program
with automatic paging, on-line account verifi-
cation, automatic journal balancing and
control over nine separate journal books.
Working reports that can be generated
include a general ledger detail, working trial
balance, general ledger summary and several
other assorted control reports. Reports are
available in 80 or 132 column presentation
and/or may be viewed on the video screen
with the systems extensive video inquiry
capabilities. Headings, title columns, dollar
signs, money columns, underlining, accumu-
lations, and other presentation features are

user specified through the master chart of
accounts. The system allows subaccounting
within ledger categories and a complete sub-
schedule reporting system to facilitate
printing of user defined schedules. Over
twenty-one financial reports are available
either in hard copy or video screen presenta-
tions. Based on the CP/M operating system,
the software module is available in floppy or
hard disk configurations including multi-user
environments. Micronetics, Inc., 1926 Holly-
wood Blvd., Suite 328, Hollywood, FL
33020, (305) 925-2333.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 320

EDUCATIONAL

Class management package includes
systems for class roster development,
teacher schedule preparation, student grade
entry, report card preparation, master record
development, and student file management.
The newly packaged product offers an
extended operating manual, a full featured
system of programs for the school adminis-
trator, and a complete student counselling
and guidance management system. The
system offers the printing of class rosters,
report cards, honor roll lists, master records,
and file folder labels. Price: $299.95. Charles
Mann and Associates, 7594 San Remo Trail,
Yucca Valley, CA 92284, (714) 365-9718.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 321

Educational game, Galactic Guardian, pre-
sents the questions and answers in a space
game format. The student is asked to save
the galaxy from invading spacemen by
correctly responding to the questions con-
tained on the subject data tape. All corrected
answers are reinforced and wrong answers
corrected. Guillotine is a variation of the
hangman game. This game transports the
student to the French Revolution. His job is
to save the man on the screen by correctly
answering the questions presented to him/
her. The games come on a single cassette
with instructions. Teach Yourself by Com-
puter Software, 40 Stuyvesant Manor,
Geneseo, NY 14454, (716) 243-3005.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 322

Computer-aided instruction software is

used by colleges and secondary schools as
a replacement for timeshare services or
groups of small individual Radio Shack or
Apple computers. The Tl 32 system uses an
extended Basic language similar to that used
on the DEC-10. Programs include simulations
in chemistry and biology, statistical programs
for natural and social sciences, computer-
assisted drill and instruction in biology,
chemistry, English, political science and
CPR principles. The programs are written in
Basic to run on the Technico Tl 32 which is
available in floppy disk and hard disk models
and can support up to fifteen simultaneous
users who may operate the Technico com-
puter in a local or remote mode. In addition,
terminal switches can be installed, which
allows continued access to an existing time-
share service. Technico, 9051 Red Branch
Rd., Columbia, MD 21045, (301) 995-1995.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 324

Instructional system is designed to help
learners gain and use fundamental tools and
concepts in beginning algebra. Each diskette
which comprises the complete algebra

JULY 1981

The book you’ve
been waiting for.

Ever since Radio Shack sold rhe first
TRS-80 Model I users have been
searching for derailed information
abour irs inner workings rhor Tandy
would nor, or could nor, moke
avoiloble. In particular rhe Level II
BASIC from Microsoft contains dozens
of subroutines rhor con be tremen-
dously useful ro any programmer, bur
Tandy Corporation is probably under
contractual obligorion ro Microsoft nor
ro supply information (if they even
hove it!).

Dedicated users, proficient in as-
sembly language, hove disassembled
rhe Level II ROMs and made their
own comments. Bur rhe majority of
users are left in with virtually no
information, apart from occasional
articles and whatever rhey can
decipher on their own.

ENTERPRISING USERS - Several of rhe
more enterprising programmers
realized that if rhey published their
own comments a lor of TRS-80 users
would buy them. The BOOK,
Disassembled Handbook and Super-
map are some of rhe avoiloble
books giving comments on rhe ROM
set - bur rhey all suffer from serious
drawbacks, being either incomplete,
unintelligible or even worse -
inaccurate!

Incomplete books are usually
published when rhe author has nor
finished understanding what he's
writing abour. Hence rhe "continued
next book" lines in some publications,
translated into english read “buy
another book when I've done some
more work". Unintelligible books ore
due ro poor editing, or no editing at
all! Inaccurate information is a result
of nor checking with anyone else.

* T.M. Microsoft * T.M. Tandy Corp.

Microsoft BASIC Decoded & Other
Mysteries is both complete and
understandable. Nearly 7,000 lines of
comments for rhe Level II ROAAs, with
an additional 6 chapters of useful
information, make this rhe biggest
and best book available on rhe
subject.

Mirren by James Favour, rhe
comment section rook more than a

Jinm * Inrrniir

MH IHtSiU 'l ItiSH »/ ( ««/ «

M I

Complete & Understandable - IJG,
publishers of TRS-80 Disk & Other
Mysteries, could have published an
incomplete or unintelligible book on
rhe ROAAs - bur chose ro wait and do
it properly.

year ro finish - it even includes rhe
changes for rhe latest ROM set in an
appendix. Edited by Jim Perry, until
recently managing editor of 80
AAicrocompuring, the text and
comments are understandable.

Tested examples are given for
virtually every ROM subroutine,
showing you how ro CALL them from
BASIC or use them in an assembly
language program. With more than
300 pages Microsoft BASIC Decoded
& Other AAysreries is by far rhe largest
book abour Level II available.

Copyright - In order ro respect
AAicrosofr copyright rhe actual disas-
sembled code is nor printed, bur rhe
book is designed ro come opart and
fir into a standard 3 ring binder with
your own disassembly (all pages are
pre-drilled).

In short, Microsoft BASIC Decoded &
Other AAysreries, is rhe most complete,
understandable and accurate guide
to your Level II ROAAs that is available
- bar none!

| | Pick one up or your nearest

□ 11 IJG dealer, phone your order
■ ■ ■ in or use rhe coupon -
satisfaction guaranteed.

FOR TRS-80 USERS

Please rush me copy/copies of Microsoft Basic Decoded & Other

Mysteries @ $29.95 each. Add $2.00 shipping & handling per book.

Name (Print)

Address

City

State Zip

TOTAL ORDER $.

•TAX %

□ Check SHIPPING A HANDLING $

TOTAL ENCLOSED $.

# Exp. Date Signature

DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY, P.O. Box 1217, Cerritos, CA 90701

For European delivery contact INTERFACE AGE Europe, Dahlienatr. 4. D-601 1 Munchen-Vaterstetten, West Germany.
•California residents add 6% sales tax. Availability and prices quoted subject to change without notice.

Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. You may photocopy this page if you wish to keep your INTERFACE AGE intact.

Orders cannot be shipped unless accompanied by payment, Including shipping A handling and tax where applicable.

DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY. A Division of INTERFACE AGE Magazine (213) 926-9548

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 133

The Apple 11 Inflation Fighter
Is Back

Due to the tremendous response from our
last INFLATION FIGHTER AD, we are
pleased to extend our sale prices. Our
INFLATION FIGHTER SYSTEM consists
of an APPLE II PLUS Computer with 48K,
DISK DRIVE WITH CONTROLLER
(DOS 3.3) and RF MODULATOR.

Reg. Price $2205.00

SALE PRICE $1725.00

• PRICE INCLUDES 24 HOUR

BURN IN

• ROM AND RAM TEST.

Extended warranty for Apple II $195.00

Apple Hardware

Reg.

Sale

Apple Disk Drive

w/cont. 3.3

645.00

540.00

Apple Disk Drive II

525.00

475.00

Apple Language System

495.00

382.00

Apple ROM Cards

(FP or Integer)

200.00

150.00

Apple Serial Card

195.00

147.00

Apple Silentype Printer

635.00

535.00

DC Hayes

Micromodem II

379.00

308.00

Microsoft Z-80 Card

349.00

285.00

Microsoft 16K RAM

Card

199.00

160.00

Apple Software

Reg.

Sale

BPI General Ledger System

395.00

340.00

BPI Inventory Package

395.00

340.00

Apple The Controller

625.00

535.00

CCA Data Base Manager

99.00

80.00

Visicalc

150.00

115.00

Desktop Plan

99.00

80.00

Microlab Database System

150.00

125.00

Stoneware DB Master

189.00

160.00

Progamma Apple Pie

129.00

99.00

Muse Supertext II

150.00

125.00

Softape Magic Window

99.00

75.00

Welch Check Register

35.00

29.00

3M Diskettes (10 pak)

50.00

28.00

Immediate delivery. Phone and mail orders
accepted. Please call or write for shipping
rates. We ship world wide (F.O.B. Long
Beach). A-VIDD source I.D. number
TCW547. Prices subject to change without
notice.

A-VIDD

electronics co.

2210 Bellflower
Boulevard
Long Beach, CA
90815

(213)598-0444
(714) 821-0870

Three blocks South of the San Diego
Freeway in the Los Altos Center.

Mon - Thurs
Hours: Fri

Saturday

8:30 AM 5:30 PM'
8:30 AM-9:00 PM
10:0 0 AM-5:30 PM

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 92

system stands completely independent of
the others. As skills are fully mastered in
one, additional units may be purchased.
Algebra features total color high-resolution
graphics display; upper/lower case text for
maximum clarity; and flow charted "informa-
tion maps" which mark the learner’s
progress. Comprehensive documentation
describes the system and its instructional
prototype. 3.3 DOS and 48K Applesoft are
required. Price: $39.95. Edu-Ware Services,
Inc., 22222 Sherman Way, Suite 102,
Canoga Park, CA 91303.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 325

Spelling checker, Hexspell, is compatible
with most of the word processing programs
available for the TRS-80, including Radio
Shack’s Scripsit. It reads through documents,
checking the words against its 29,000 word
wordlist while simultaneously displaying the
text for a manual proofread. The program
features simple fast error correction. Erro-
neous words are shown in full context when
detected, and can be immediately replaced.
The replacement word is itself instantly
rechecked to ensure correctness. Hexspell
rapidly adapts itself to the user’s vocabulary
—it can be taught to become bilingual. A
single keystroke teaches a new word, and
the program constantly optimizes its wordlist
so that frequently used words are found
fastest. Unused words are automatically
forgotten if the word list becomes full.
Hexspell requires a 48K TRS-80 model I with
2 disk drives. Price: $69. Hexagon Systems,
P.O. Box 397, Stn A, Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V6C 2N2, (604) 682-7646.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 326

GAMES

Fantasy role-playing game, Hellfire Warrior,
allows the player to take on the role of his
favorite hero. The player must rescue the
warrior maid from the depths of a four-level
dungeon and bring her back to sun and air.
The game has more than 200 rooms— riddled
with trap doors, bottomless pits, and filled
with monsters and treasures, and the player
must kill the great bat-winged demon, cross
bridges of flame, face death itself and live
before the adventure is complete. For
experienced fantasy role-playing gamers,
the game is available on cassette for the Pet
(32K) and TRS-80 (level II, 16K), and on disk
for the TRS-80 (32K) and the Apple (48K with
ROM Applesoft) for $39.95. Automated
Simulations, P.O. Box 4247, Mountain View,
CA 94040.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 327

Wargame, Computer Conflict, consists of
two introductory games, Rebel Force and
Red Attack! Rebel Force allows you to
command a Soviet regiment which must
retake a vital town overrun by a computer-
directed guerrilla uprising. Using armored,
infantry, and heavy weapons companies, you
must negotiate the hi-res mapboard while
being opposed by minefields, ambushes,
militia, and anti-tank guns— all skillfully
deployed by your computer in one of 5 levels
of complexity. Red Attack! is a two player
game that simulates an invasion by a mixed
Soviet tank and infantry force against a
defending battalion. The victor goes to the
player commanding 2 of the 3 vital crossroads
at the end of the game. The game is available

for a 48K Apple II (Applesoft ROM) on disc.
Price: $39.95. Strategic Simulations Inc.,
465 Fairchild Dr., Suite 108, Mountain View,
CA 94043, (415) 964-1353.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 328

Football game, Tuesday Morning Quarter-
back, gives you 30 seconds to choose from
1 6 different offensive plays with eight pass
patterns, seven running plays, plus an
option, and six defensive patterns— nearly
1 00 offense/defense combinations. The
game is for beginners and experts alike. It
comes with two additional programs. One
lets you make substitutions, transfer
players, keep up with injuries and even draft
new choices. You can easily create your
own all-star team and update your team
rosters. Another program lets you practice
your kicking skills before you start huddling
for the real action. You do not have to be a
football expert to play. A glossary of football
terms and some helpful hints to improve your
strategies are included to help you with your
decision making. The game is available on
disk for the Apple with 48K and Applesoft in
ROM . Price: $29.95. Automated Simulations,
P.O. Box 4247, Mountain View, CA 94040.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 329

Wargame, Missile Command, begins with
wave after wave of enemy missiles raining
down on an earth missile base and 6
surrounding cities. The player, as base
commander, is responsible for protecting
and defending the territory from enemy
attack. To combat each wave of enemy
missiles, the base commander is given 30
guided defense missiles which, when
exploded In the path of attacking missiles,
destroys them. Each successive wave of
attacking missiles comes faster than the
previous one and the game continues until
all cities and the missile base are lost. After
the sixth wave of missiles, the enemy may
attack with smart cruise missiles. Shaped
like satellites, they can detect and evade
defense missile explosions. Unless the player
can place the defense missile target directly
on the smart enemy missile, the enemy will
be successful in getting through to one of
the cities or the missile base. Dumb enemy
cruise missiles are easier to stop as they
can’t detect defense movements and travel
in a straight line. In addition to enemy
missiles destroyed, points are scored for
unused defense missiles and saved cities. A
bonus city is given for every 10,000 points
scored. Additional features include game
difficulty adjustment to correspond to player
skill levels, slow game variations designed
for young children and screen color changes
as game progresses to reduce eyestrain
during extended game play. Price: $31.95.
Atari Inc., 1265 Borregas Ave., P.O. Box
427, Sunnyvale, CA 94086.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 330

Chess and Checkers programs, MicroChess
and Checker King, are for the Atari 400 and
800 computers. MicroChess turns a com-
puter display screen into a chess board.
Checker King turns the computer display
screen into a colorful checkerboard. Both
programs are illustrated using high-resolution
graphics. Personal Software, 1 330 Bordeaux
Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94086, (408) 745-7841.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 332

Casino blackjack table is simulated on the
TRS-80 screen by the Casino Blackjack/

134 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

Counter program. The player plays the center
hand of five, and watches all the cards as they
fall on each one. Standard casino rules are
observed — the player may split, double down,
take insurance bets, and the dealer must hit
1 6 and stand on 1 7. One deck may be used,
or two or four decks mixed together. For
counting practice or casual play, three dealing
speeds can be selected. ForTRS-80 models
I and III. Cassette $14.95, disk $19.95.
Manhattan Software, P.O. Box 35, Pacific
Palisades, CA 90272, (213) 454-8290.
CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 333

Intelligent chess program is designed for
the model I TRS-80 tape system and disk
system. This computer chess master features
a choice of ten levels of play from blitz where
the computer has three seconds to move to
infinity where the computer considers every
conceivable play. The program is a conser-
vative player and follows all the accepted
rules of international play. Another feature of
Chessmate 80 is its ability to move for you. It
excells as a chess teacher in that the user
can observe the computer actually selecting
through alternative moves as it executes its
decision making process. Instant Software
Inc., Peterborough, NH 03458.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 334

War game, The Warp Factor, allows one or
two players to choose from among 1 2 star-
ship designs representing 5 Galactic Empires.
The players are placed squarely in the
Captain’s role, dealing with the critical
parameters of interstellar battle such as
energy allocation for phasers, shields,
disruptor bolts, screens, and warp engines.
With an average game lasting between thirty
minutes and four hours, the players can
create scenarios ranging from space skirm-
ishes to a full-scale, all-out war. Price:
$39.95. Strategic Simulations Inc., 465 Fair-
child Dr., Suite 108, Mountain View, CA
94043, (415) 964-1353.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 335

SYSTEMS

Operating system, Oasis version 5.5 Multi-
user Spooler, is designed for Z80 micro-
computers. With up to 15 users accessing a
single printer, the system allows maximum
printing efficiency. Twenty-six user-defined
queues can be used to prioritize waiting jobs
or execute special forms. Archive and
Restore, a back-up utility, can be used to
protect large amounts of hard disk data on
tape cartridge or multiple floppies. Designed
for files that are often updated but rarely
accessed sequentially, keyed file capabilities
compliment the system’s existing direct,
sequential and ISAM files. Other features
include flexibility in maintaining public, private
or shared files with versatile security and
accounting controls; file locking and auto-
matic record locking; convenient inter-user
communications; and a general purpose text
editor. Price: $500 for single-user and $850
for multi-user versions. Phase One Systems,
7700 Edgewater Dr., Suite 830 Oakland, CA
94621, (415) 562-8085.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 336

CP/M compatible operating system offers
higher throughput, increased reliability and
extra professional features for both single and
multiple-user environments. MuDOS is ideal
for use with the MuSYS Net/80 and EXP/80
network slave processors. The system may
be customized to any Z80-based hardware
configuration and used in place of CP/M,
MP/M and CP/Net. Program loading under
the system is six times faster than CP/M. File
processing functions average three to five
times faster. It uses the extra registers and
instructions available on the Z80 to speed
processing of operating system calls. The

system is an ideal replacement for CP/NET
in the MuSYS Net/80 network slave pro-
cessor. Net/80 performs as a Z80 slave
loosely coupled to an S-1 00 bus and includes
64K of RAM, a single level interrupt, a
console serial port and a parallel port for
communication with the S-1 00 bus master
CPU. The MuSYS EXP/80 expansion board
adds a second serial port, a Centronics-
compatible printer or 8-bit bidirectional
parallel port, priority interrupt control, real
time clock and other features to such net-
works. Price: $300-$750. MuSYS Corp.,
1451 E. Irvine Blvd., Suite 11, Tustin, CA
92680, (714) 730-5692.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 337

CP/M version of North Star 2.2 allows users
of the Horizon microcomputer to have a fully
compatible operating system for both floppy
and hard disk systems. The unit consists of a
single diskette that works with a double
density, quad capacity and hard disk systems,
and features a unique sequential file access
capability. Approximate price: $230. North
Star Computers, Inc., 1440 Fourth St.,
Berkeley, CA 94710, (415) 527-6950.
CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 336

Operating system and programming lan-
guage designed to speed software develop-
ment of high-performance applications for
the Motorola Exorset 30 microcomputer, is a
fully interactive development tool, used for
instrumentation, process control, data acqui-
sition, graphics, and similar projects. Poly-
forth includes a screen editor, in addition to
the standard Polyforth multi-programmed
operating system, assembler, interpreters,
and Forth language compiler. A special CAI
course for novice Forth programmers is
included on a separate diskette. Options
include 2-D graphics, a math package based
on fixed-point fraction arithmetic, and file
management. Price: $4,750. Forth, Inc.,
2309 Pacific Coast Hwy., Hermosa Beach,
CA 90254, (213) 372-8493.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 339

Project control system for large or small
project teams provides weekly status reporting
by team member and for the entire project.
The software can operate with the CP/M
operating system. Project Monitoring Sys-
tem’s weekly reports are based on an original
schedule and a revised estimate-to-complete.
Schedules are developed for each project
team member consistent with the overall
time-frame and estimated effort. The system
generates a Project Schedule Summary,
listing each activity and the weekly estimates
by individual. This schedule is finalized by
the team managers and provides the basis
for future monitoring. Documentation for the
Project Monitoring System includes a descrip-
tion of each screen and report. One chapter
discusses the steps necessary to set up a
project. The installation section includes
sufficient Fortran code to be compatible
with most systems. Only four routines must
be updated for the host computer. The soft-
ware requires a Fortran compiler and the
source code is included with the purchase.
Price: $175. Escape, Ltd., P.O. Box 18797,
Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 255-0404.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 341

Oasis operating system is now available
for new NNC Electronics System 80/80W
microcomputers. The combination allows
unique flexibility in maintaining public,
private or shared files with versatile multi-
user security and accounting controls. File
locking and automatic record locking insure
data integrity for up to 4 users on the 1 28K
RAM systems. Supporting the NNC system
80W lOM-byte Winchester hard disk, Oasis
compliments the mass storage media with
sophisticated archive and restore back-up
capabilities. Multi-user Spooler, convenient
inter-user communications capabilities, and
general purpose text editor are additional
software features. Prices: $500 for single-
user and $850 for multi-user versions. Phase
One Systems, 7700 Edgewater Dr., Suite
830, Oakland, CA 94621, (415) 562-8085.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 356

System support for North Star Horizon
with hard disk can be increased up to five
terminals with the addition of TSS/A. It is a
multi-user operating system, supporting
North Star’s integrated application software
systems, providing users with shared access
to the system programs. It gives the com-
puter important flexibility for expanding with
the increasing demands of the end-user.
This capacity is especially important to small
business customers who need to plan for
orderly expansion in data and word pro-
cessing stride-for-stride with their growing
enterprises. All present Horizons can be
expanded up to a five-user system with the
addition of a hard disk, memory, and multi-
port I/O supported by the TSS/A software
package. North Star Computers, 14440
Catalina St., San Leandro, CA 94577,
(415) 357-8500.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 355

Programming language, C, is for use on

Cromemco's Z80A-based, S-1 00 micro-
computer systems. The powerful, general
purpose programming language features
economy of expression, modern control flow
and data structures, and a rich set of
operators. C, which was originally developed

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 135

wmm i

and implemented on the Unix operating
system, is an effective programming language
for a wide range of applications. C combines
features and powers provided by assembly
languages with the structured programming
techniques available In higher level lan-
guages. It is extremely effective for writing
operating systems, languages, utilities and
I/O drivers, communication software, data-
base management systems, file management
software, and fast graphics software. The C
programming language operates under the
multi-user, multi-tasking Cromix operating
system and produces relocatable code that
can be linked with Fortran, Cobol, and
Assembly language or called from Basic. It is
available on 5-in. diskette or 8-in. diskette
including extensive documentation. Price:
$595. Cromemco, Inc., 280 Bernardo Ave.,
Mountain View, CA 94043.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 340

Application programming language is for

8080, Z80 and 8085 microprocessors.
PL/l-80 programming systems comprise four
major components: PL/l-80 compiler, LINK-80
linkage editor, PI/1-80 run time library and
RMAC relocatable macro assembler. The
system generates industry standard Micro-
soft relocatable code so users can link load
subroutines created by other language
translators. LINK-80, a disk to disk link loader,
can load programs up to the maximum size of
the machine. The run time library contains
over 300 individual subroutines but loads
only those which are used by your program.
An executable program can be as small as
600 bytes. The package includes three
manuals and a programmer’s quick reference
guide. The large number of sample programs
provided serve as a thorough hands on
course in PL/I programming. Price: $500,
documentation $35. Westico, Inc., 25 Zant
St., Norwalk, CT 06855, (203) 853-6880.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 342

System software product, Formula/1, is
aimed at the telecommunication users
desiring an across the board improvement in
transaction response time. The product
yields a performance response boost and
requires absolutely no changes to either the
telecommunications monitor or user applica-
tion programs. Performance improvements
of 20% to 60% are possible in individual
transaction response times, as well as in
CICs and IDMS-DC start-up. Gains will vary
depending on the complexity and the volume
of the environment. Because the product
decreases system overhead, even well tuned
applications will experience performance
improvement. It functions in all OS/VS
environments on a full range of IBM main-
frames and compatible processors. Price:
$5,500. DBMS, Inc., 33 W. Roosevelt Rd.,
Lombard, IL 60148, (312) 325-6600.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 343

Oasis operating system is available for
the S-100 based California Computer
Systems CCS 200, CCS 300 and CCS 400
microcomputers. The Oasis/CCS combination
allows flexibility in maintaining public, private
or shared files with versatile user security
and accounting controls. File locking and
automatic record locking insure data integrity
for up to 16 users on the easily expanded
microcomputer. Archive and Restore, it’s
sophisticated back-up utilities, support the
California Computer System’s 10- and

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. Ill

U*g23T

Compos

J|^800™. .$789

''ATARI*' List $1080 ^

ATARI® 400. . .$429

m SIS HP-85

HP-85 Accessories

5 V." Dual Master Disc Drive List $2500 $2125

5V«” Single Master Disc Drive List $1500. . $1275

HP 7225A Graphics Plotter List $2050 $1845

HP-85 16K Memory Module List $395 $355

HP-85 Application Pacs Standard List $95 $85

Serial (RS-232C) Interface Module List $395. . $355
GPIO Interface Module List $495 $445

-si $2250

HP-83

4 1895

HP-41CVwith five times
more memory

built in.

List $325

$249

HP-41 C

List $250

$199

HP-32E Scientific w/Statistics 53.95

HP-33C Scientific Programmable $79.95
HP-34C Advanced Scientific

Programmable 123.95

HP-37E Business Calculator $49.95

ersonal
omputer
ystems

609 Butternut Street
Syracuse, N.Y. 13208

( 315 ) 475-6800

Prices do not include shipping by UPS. All
prices and offers subject to change without
notice.

20-Mbyte Winchester-type hard disk. Multi-
user Spooler, convenient inter-user communi-
cation capabilities, and general purpose text
editor are additional software features. Com-
prehensive program development support
includes high level Basic with re-entrant run-
time module, EXEC interactive job control
language, text editors, compiler, interpreter,
relocating macro assembler, debugger, linkage
editor, and diagnostic/conversion programs.
File Sort and RM Cobol are optionally avail-
able. Price: $500 for single-user and $850
for multi-user versions. Phase One Systems,
Inc., 7700 Edgewater Dr., Suite 830,
Oakland, CA 94621, (415) 562-8085.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 345

Firmware and software set enhances the
CP/M operating system on the Intertec
SuperBrain. With the package installed, disk
capacity is increased 16%, and the track-to-
track step rate is five times faster. The
spindle motor can be shut off when the disks
are not being accessed. Features include the
capability to program 35 keys, buffered I/O on
either RS232 port, special keycap support
for popular word processing programs,
spindle motor speed check, programmable
handshaking modes, and a real time clock.
Continued are the lobyte capability,
keyboard type ahead, auto repeat on all
keys, greater screen control, an optional
diagnostic package, and a full manual with
interface, operation, and maintenance infor-
mation on SuperBrains. SB/E is available for
both standard and quad density SuperBrains,
for DOS versions 3.0 or later. Price: $195.
IE Systems Inc., 98 Main St., Newmarket,
NH 03857, (603) 659-5891.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 346

UTILITY

Language modification, Alpha-Cobol level
3.3, contains a number of added features. It is
among the most complete level 2 implementa-
tion although still running in a user partition
of 32K bytes. It provides a complete symbolic
debugger with features and facilities never
before available on a micro based product.
Angusglow Ltd., 20 St. Albans Grove, London
W.8. England, phone 01-486 0702.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 347

Source code translator translates Zilog
Z-80 assembly language source code to
Z-8000 source code. Output will assemble
on the 2500 A.D. cross assembler. The
program provides a “worksheet” printout
showing: original Zilog Z-80 source code
statement and comments; resulting Z-8000
source code; flags any added lines; flags
with warning messages any statement that
needs modification before running (as a
precaution these warning messages become
part of the Z-8000 source code until
removed); shows total number of source
code lines, added lines, warning messages
and fatal errors (improper Z-80 code)
detected. Required hardware includes: 48K
RAM minimum; Z-80 microprocessor; mini-
mum 1 8-in. floppy disk drive— single

density. Required software includes: CP/M
2.0 operating system; 2500 A.D. cross
assembler or assembler for object code
generation. 2500 A.D., P.O. Box 441410,
Aurora, CO 80014.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 348

136 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

Programmers’ utility, the Fortranslator, is
for use on the TRS-80 models II and III, as
well as an enhanced version of the model I
program. The software is meant to aid in the
transfer of disk Basic programs to the Fortran
packages available for the models. While total
translation is not possible, these programs will
save a lot of routine typing and clerical work in
program transfer. The resulting Fortran style
program puts the translated Basic program
into a ‘template’ with most of the unique
Fortran READ/WRITE/FORMAT, the sub-
routine CALLS and GOTO forms are followed
as is the general indentation and arrangement
of the program. After translation, the program
may be finished on the editor package of
Fortran and then compiled. Fortranslator will
do between 60 and 85% of the conversion
work depending upon the program content.
Prices: model 1, $29.95; model II, $34.95;
model III, $29.95 All are supplied on disk,
postpaid. The Management, Box T, Aledo,
TX 76008.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 350

Software packages transform the CBM Pet
microcomputer into an ASCII RS232 terminal.
This series of software permits bi-directional
communication to any RS232 device such
as a modem. The software can directly drive
any RS232 device that uses TTL levels. A
hardware interface is available that allows
the connection of devices requiring RS232C
levels. The software is available in two forms.
The first version, TE300, operates as a
standard ASCII terminal. The second version,
TE300-FTC, provides two-way file transfers
using the CBM 2040/8050 floppy disk drives.
Files stored on diskette can be sent directly
down-line to a mainframe via the TE300-FTC,
or mainframe files can be saved directly onto

floppy diskette(s). Data transfer for the
TE300 series of terminal emulators is at a
rate of 50 to 600 baud bi-directional. It is
also possible to run at split speeds thus
allowing a maximum output rate of 2400

baud. The TE300 software packages include
documentation, software stored on floppy
diskette and on a backup diskette, and a
connector cable. Price: from $150. Ph.D.
Associates, 107 Fordwich Cres., Rexdale,
Ontario, M9W 2T6, Canada.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 349

Animation program, Rainbow Writer, in-
cludes graphics, text and music development
aids. It runs on the Apple II and Apple II Plus
personal computers. The program can be
used to create special effects featuring
color, animation, letters, shapes and sounds.
Because of the simple commands and menu-
type selections that require little prior training
to use, special effects can be achieved with
far less effort than would be required when
programming from scratch. Price: $40.
Personal Software, 1330 Bordeaux Dr.,

Sunnyvale, CA 94086, (408) 745-7841.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 351

Conversion software, Reformatter, allows
CP/M users to exchange data files with DEC
computers using floppy disk as transfer
medium. It runs under the CP/M operating
system and reads and writes floppy disks in
the DEC RT-1 1 format. Users have the ability
to transfer data files bidirectionally, and alter
any of the fields in the DEC RT-1 1 directory
such as “file create date” and “file protect
status”. It also lists the DEC directory, and
displays the unused areas of the disk. A

squeeze function is available, which allows a
fragmented DEC diskette to be packed into a
continuous data area. The DEC RT-1 1 format
is the most basic diskette format available on
DEC equipment. Most of the low-end PDP/1 1 s
and LSI/1 Is use the RT-1 1 operating system.
The more complex operating systems, like
RSX11 and RSTS, also support the RT-11
file format thru the use of diskette utilities
within those operating systems. Price: $195.
MicroTech Exports, 467 Hamilton Ave., Palo
Alto, CA 94301, (415) 324-9114.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 353

64K BYTE EXPANDABLE RAM

DYNAMIC RAM WITH ON BOARDTRANSPARENT
REFRESH GUARANTEED TO OPERATE IN
NORTHSTAR. CROMEMCO. VECTOR GRAPHICS.
SOL, AND OTHER 8080 OR Z-80 BASED S100
SYSTEMS *4MHZ Z-80 WITH NO WAITSTATES

★ SELECTABLE AND DESELECTABLE IN 4K
INCREMENTS ON 4K ADDRESS BOUNDARIES.

★ LOW POWER-8 WATTS MAXIMUM.

★ 200NSEC 4116 RAMS.

★ FULL DOCUMENTATION.

★ ASSEMBLED AND TESTED BOARDS ARE
GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR AND
PURCHASE PRICE IS FULLY REFUNDABLE IF
BOARD IS RETURNED UNDAMAGED WITHIN
14 DAYS.

ASSEMBLED/

TESTED

64KRAM $545.00

48K RAM $520.00

32K RAM $495.00

16K RAM $470.00

S100 MAINFRAME

ANO CARD CAGE Q

★ W / SOLID FRONT PANEL . . $250.00"

★ W/ CUTOUTS FOR 2 MINI-FLOPPIES . . .$250.00

★ 30 AMP POWER SUPPLY $145.00

★ 8 SLOT MOTHERBOARD $1 54.00

★ 19 SLOT MOTHERBOARD $225.00

16K MEMORY EXPANSION KIT
ONLY $29

FOR APPLE, TRS-80 KEYBOARD, EXIDY,
AND ALL OTHER 16K DYNAMIC SYS-
TEMS USING MK4116-3 OR EQUIVALENT
DEVICES.

★ 200 NSEC ACCESS, 375 NSEC CYCLE

★ BURNED-IN AND FULLY TESTED

★ 1 YR. PARTS REPLACEMENT
GUARANTEE

★ QTY. DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE

VISTA V-200 MINI FLOPPY SYSTEM

SI 00 DOUBLE DENSITY CONTROLLER
204 KBYTE CAPACITY FLOPPY DISK
DRIVE WITH CASE & POWER SUPPLY
MODIFIED CPM OPERATING SYSTEM
WITH EXTENDED BASIC
$695.00

COmPUTER DEVICES

1230 w.couinj five.

ORADGE, CA 92668
(714)633-7280

Calif, residents please add 6% sales tax. Mastercharge
& Visa accepted. Please allow 14 days for checks to
clear bank. Phone orders welcome. Shipping charges
will be added to all shipments.

32K BYTE MEMORY

RELIABLE/COST EFFECTIVE EXPANDABLE RAM FOR
6502 AND 6800 SYSTEM-AIM 65-*KIM*SYM*PET*S44 BUS

★ PLUG COMPATIBLE WITH THE AIM-65/SYM EXPANSION
CONNECTOR BY USING A RIGHT ANGLE CONNECTOR
(SUPPLIED) MOUNTED ON THE BACK OF THE MEMORY
BOARD.

★ MEMORY BOARD EDGE CONNECTOR PLUGS INTO THE
6800 S 44 BUS.

* CONNECTS TO PET OR KIM USING AN ADAPTOR CABLE.

★ RELIABLE-DYNAMIC RAM WITH ON BOARD INVISIBLE
REFRESH-LOOKS LIKE STATIC MEMORY BUT AT
LOWER COST AND A FRACTION OF THE POWER
REQUIRED FOR STATIC BOARDS.

* USES +5V ONLY, SUPPLIED FROM HOST COMPUTER.

* FULL DOCUMENTATION. ASSEMBLED AND TESTED
BOARDS ARE GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR AND
PURCHASE PRICE IS FULLY REFUNDABLE IF BOARD IS
RETURNED UNDAMAGED WITHIN 14 DAYS.

ASSEMBLED WITH 32K RAM $349 00 1

TESTED WITHOUT RAM CHIPS L Qm

HARD TO GET PARTS (NO RAM CHIPS) aouy.uu |

WITH BOARO AND MANUAL $99 00

BARE BOARD & MANUAL $49 00

PET INTERFACE KIT-CONNECTS THE 32K RAM BOARD T€
A 4K OR 8 K PET. CONTAINS: INTERFACE CABLE. BOARD
STANDOFFS. POWER SUPPLY MODIFICATION KIT AND
COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS. $49 00

U.S. PRICES ONLY

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 137

TOLL FREE OUTSIDE CAL 1(800) 423-5886

C‘ commodore

Call for latest price on:

Introducing The

NEC I’ns mi.i1 ( < • in |«i it

CBM 8000

Business computer
CBM 2001
Business computer
CBM 2001
PET

CBM 2022
Printer
CBM 2023
Printer
CBM2040
Dual Drive
Floppy Disk
CBM 8050
Dual Drive
Floppy Disk

apple II &
II plus

Here is THE computer from NEC
Centronics and RS232 interfaces are
standard Up to 64 K (RAM) SEND FOR
PRICE AND INFO., OR CALL TOLL FREE!

monitors

9" Black and white Only $185.
Also available In Sanyo

12" Black and white
15" Black and white

TRS-80*

All TRS-80 Compatible Hardware
and Software Call us and tell us what
you need! TKS ho I- a Ir.i.l.mark III T'aiiih C

print wheels and thimbles

Huge selection for Qume, Diablo,
NEC. Plastic or metal.

Call 1(800) 423-5886

apple
is here

Cali today and be the
first to have the most
powerful professional
computer in its class'

JIlATARI 825
* /lv Printer..$799

apple cards

Hi-Speed Serial Interface
Communications Interlace
Parallel Printer Interface
Centronics Printer Interface
Hobby/Prototype
Integer Basic Firmware
Applesoft Firmware

NEC

Letter quality high speed printer, bi-
directional, high resolution plot-
ting, graphics

RO with Tractor Feed $2865.

KSR with Tractor Feed $2995.

^ Paper Tiger (1P440) $949.
cf &• With Graphics
* Anadex DP9500 $1449

DP8000 $849.

CALL FOR
FREE
CATALOG

Everything that 400 has plus Basic
Language Cartridge 16K memory (ex-
pandable to 48K) Only $798.

Atari Program Recorder. Only $68.95

Atari Expansion Memory 8K $89.95
16K $159.

Hfc apple II

inventory control system

The first truly professional system
that can tackle up to 8,100 Items,
transaction register/audit trail, in-
ventory status report, re-order
report, keeps track of purchase
orders automatically, will handle
multiple departments or divisions,
fast data retrieval Minimum hard-
ware requirements Apple II Plus
with 48K. one disk drive and 80
column printer Available also for
the new DOS 3.3.

dysan diskettes

S’ (Box of 10)

374(V1 sgl side sgl density

U 50 li.

3740/ ID sgl side dbi den

H tS ••

5 (Box of S)

104/1 soft sector
107/1 10 sectors.

105/1 16 sectors $4.S0ea.

Call I

SEND ALL MAIL ORDERS TO:

/X/IICRO

BUSINESS WORLD

18720 Oxnard
Suite 108

Tarzana, CA 91356

Prices subject to change without notice. Please
allow time for checks to clear. Add 2% for
shipping and handling - $5.00 minimum. Cal.
residents please add 6% sales tax. Sorry, no COD.

Outside Cal. Call Toll Free 1(800) 423-5886. In Cal. (213) 996-2252.

WHEN IN CALIFORNIA VISIT OUR RETAIL LOCATIONS

(Retail prices may differ)

In Torrance/Lawndale

In Woodland Hills

In Anaheim

Computer World

20929 Ventura Blvd.

521 Chapman

15818 Hawthorne Blvd.

(213) 704-6895

(near corner at Harbor)

(213) 370-4842

Coo***" i960 M«CRO BoV"<“SS *o»‘a

Immediate response to your orders

l .S. ami 1 nlerual ionul Dralrr^l
inquiries iiititril.

■ /ii rm in /in

LflLCI UUtin

Jul 2-4 Science and Technology Exhibit, Adam s Mark
Hotel, Houston, TX, exhibits by Industrial, educational and
research organizations concerned with energy advancements
through technology. Tony Hill, CET, Houston Engineering and
Scientific Society, 2615 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77002.

Jul 5-31 Computer Camp on the Hill, Hill School, Potts-
town, PA, four one-week computer workshops run by John E.
Parnell. Open to youngsters in grades 7 through 12, the
classes will feature maximum hands-on exposure. John E.
Parnell, Hill School, Pottstown, PA 19464.

Jul 5-Aug 28 Computer Camp, Zaca Lake, Santa Barbara,
CA, four two-week sessions combining outdoor learning
environment with studies of computer science. Open to
youngsters 10-18. Computer Camp Inc., 1235 Coast Village
Rd., Suite G, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, (805) 965-7777.

Jul 1 9-24 National Computer Camp, Grand View Lodge,
Moodus, CT, recreational and educational weekend for
youngsters with emphasis on computer technology. Additional
session held July 26-31. Computer Camp, Grand View
Lodge, Box 22, Moodus, CT 06469.

Jul 26-31 Harvard Computer Graphics Week *81,

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, seminars spanning all
aspects of management graphics and developments in com-
puter mapping. Laboratory for Computer Graphics, Harvard U.,
48 Quincy St., Cambridge, MA 02138.

Jul 29-31 1981 Microcomputer Show, Wembley Con-

ference Centre, London, England, seminars and exhibitions
covering various aspects of the use of microprocessors in
business and manufacturing. Technology Marketing and
Analysis Corp., 680 Beach St., San Francisco, CA 94109.

Aug 10-14 Reliability and Life Testing, UCLA campus,
Los Angeles, CA, short course for engineers and scientists
involved with the reliability, design, product assurance, quality
and safety aspects of components, equipment and systems.
Short Course Program Office, 6266 Boelter Hall, UCLA
Extension, Los Angeles, CA 90024, (213) 825-1047.

Aug 10-14 Seminars for the Systems Analyst, Grand
Portage Lodge and Convention Center, Grand Portage, MN,
comprehensive courses covering technology and interpersonal
management skills. Pam Jensen, Executive Development
Center, 324 Business Administration, 271 19th Ave. S.,
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

Aug 18-20 International Symposium on Electromag-
netic Compatibility, U. of Colorado, Boulder, CO, providing
information on how to measure and ameliorate problems of
unwanted electromagnetic radiation in manufacturing elec-
tronic products. Charlotte Tyson, EMC ’81, IBM, P.O. Box
1900, Boulder, CO 80302, (303) 447-5072.

Aug 26-29 National Small Computer Show, New York
Coliseum, New York, NY, lectures, seminars, and exhibitions
of microcomputer equipment. NSCS, 110 Charlotte PI., Engle-
wood Cliffs, NJ 07632, (201) 569-8542.

Aug 28-30 Personal Computer Arts Festival, Philadelphia
Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA, discussions and
displays of computer usage in the arts, including music
synthesis, composition tools, digital sound synthesis, signal
processing, video, film, sculpture. PCAF-81, Box 1954,
Philadelphia, PA 19105.

138 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 104

JULY 1981

Sep 10-12 Personal Computer World Show, Cunard
Hotel, Hammersmith, London, England, demonstrations and
discussions on wide variety of small computer systems.
Timothy Collins, Personal Computer World Show, 1 1 Man-
chester Sq., London WIE 2QZ, England.

Sep 14-17 Software Info *81, Merchandise Mart Expo-
center, Chicago, IL, talks and demonstrations on increasing
productivity through packaged software. Software Info, 1730
N. Lynn St., Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22209, (703) 521-6209.

Sep 15-17 Wescon *81, Brooks Hall and Municipal Audi-
torium and Hilton Hotel, San Francisco, CA, conferences and
demonstrations on aerospace avionics, data communications,
components and devices, consumer electronics, energy,
medical electronics, and office automation. Electronic Con-
ventions, Inc., Suite 410, 999 N. Sepulveda Blvd., El Segundo,
CA 90245, (213) 772-2965.

Sep 15-24 Machine Tool Fair, Hanover Fairgrounds,
Hanover, Germany, more than 1,700 exhibitors from 80
different countries presenting new developments in machine
tools and general metalworking technologies. Hanover Fair
Informations Center, Box 338, Whitehouse, NJ 08888,
(800) 526-5978.

Sep 16-18 Integrated Management Systems Seminar,

Holiday Inn at O’Hare Airport, Schiller Park, IL, course on
improving management skills, tailored to the needs of the

electronics industry. EIA Education, Suite 405, 2001 Eye St.
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

Sep 21-23 Structured Information Systems Seminar,

series of two-and-a-half day seminars designed for DP/MIS
management; focusing on a structured approach to information
systems planning. Susan Shaw, InfoCom, MRB Box 125-17,
Bangor, ME 04401, (207) 947-6886.

Sep 21-25 Convention Informatique 1981, Palais des
Congres, Paris, France, discussions on office automation and
telematics, legal, economic and social aspects of computer-
ization. Secretariat de la Convention Informatique 4, Place de
Valios, 75001 Paris, France, telephone (01) 261.52.42.

Sep 21-25 International Switching Symposium, Hotel
Bonaventure, Montreal, Canada, discussions on telecom-
munications switching, including representatives from around
the world. International Switching Symposium, P.O. Box 56,
Station “lie des Soeurs”, Verdun, Quebec, Canada H3E 1 J8,
(514) 761-5831.

Oct 2-3 Classroom Applications of Computers, Inde-
pendence High School, Santa Clara, CA, conference including
hands-on tutorial sessions for teachers with several different
hardware types at several levels of sophistication; also work-
shops and industrial exhibits of hardware and software. Don
McKell, Independence High School, 1776 Educational Park
Dr., San Jose, CA 95133, (408) 288-7642.

( j ) ovtfiua*
( 2 ' SOD*

3 - (WiGtftJS

, 4 . FtfClX
, 5 .

Radio /haek

DEALER

TRS-80- DISCOUNT

□ NO OUT-OF-STATE TAX

□ NO SHIPPING COSTS

TRS-80
MODEL II 64K

*3500

PACKS ENOUGH DATA HANDLING POWER FOR
MANY SMALL BUSINESSES.

TRS-80 MODEL III

32K-2 DISKS

$2100

NEW PERSONAL COMPUTER . . .
REAL-TIME CLOCK, SHARPER
CRT IMAGES AND FASTER
LOADING CASSETTES

CERTIFIED CHECKS
CASHIERS CHECKS
OR CREDIT CARDS

TRS-80 COLOR

COMPUTER OR VIDEO

*339

JULY 1981

each

A LOW COST, COLOR COMPUTER FOR PERSONAL BUSINESS OR ENTERTAINMENT

PERRY OIL & GAS INC.

137 NORTH MAIN STREET, PERRY, MICH. 48872

PHONE (517) 625-4161

WARRANTIES HONORED BY ALL RADIO SHACKS • *T.M. TANDY CORP.
CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. no INTERFACE AGE 139

r it's a directory—

the

Community
Computerist’s
Directory

"Th* Who t Who ol People >nd Compwtcn"

•stD

• DiSCOVCr what computerists
are doing nationwide and let them
know what you are up to. •Find

products, services, bulletin boards,
data bases, clubs associations and
publications. •Meet the people
who have the skills, information
and resources that you need.

• Contact others who share
your interests and can help you
with your project or application.

• Check out hardware or soft
ware before you buy. • Create friendships, partnerships,
networks, clubs, businesses. • Locate a computer system
to share; share yours with others; trade services.

White Pages # Yellow Pages • Indexed

_ $ 3.50

Community
Computerist’s Directory

PO BOX 405 FORESTVILLE, CA 95436
PHONE: (707) 887-1857

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 11

s FREE!

I 1981

DISCOUNT
ELECTRONICS
v CATALOG

JOIN THE PAK!

Send for our Free catalog and become a
member of our exclusive Pak. Our .
members receive Poly Paks’
exciting catalog several
times a year. We offer:

Penny Sales, Free
Premiums and Low,

Low Prices on a wide variety of
Electronic Products such as Computer Periph-
erals, Integrated Circuits, Speakers, Audio
Equipment, Rechargeable Batteries, Solar Prod-
ucts, Semiconductors, and much, much more!
Take advantage of our 25 years as America’s
foremost Supplier of discount electronics.

RUSH ME YOUR FREE DISCOUNT CATALOG!

NAME:

ADDRESS:

CITY:

STATE: ZIP:

CLIP AND MAIL COUPON TODAY TO:

POLY PAKS, INC.

P.O. BOX 942, IA7

S. LYNNFIELD, MA. 01 940 (617) 245 3828

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 112

Duunnci/itu/d

So You’re Thinking About
a Small Business Computer
by Richard Q. Canning and Nancy C. Leeper
Canning Publications, Vista, CA

Reviewed by Rocky Smolin

This Is one of the better how-to books to be offered.
Taking nothing for granted on the part of the reader, the first
chapter is entitled ‘How a Computer Can Help You.’ The next
chapter— ‘How Computers Work’— takes another large step
in the demystification process. The book continues in a logical
fashion, with a not-too-technical discussion of hardware—
S-100, word processor, mini and microcomputers, etc. The
next chapter on software is weak in terms of what you should
expect from various applications, but gives good advice in
locating and evaluating software.

Much of the rest of the book concerns a selection and
implementation of a small business system including how to
contract for custom programming and how to deal with
consultants. Two extremely useful appendices are included
—a glossary of common computer terms and a list of leading
suppliers describing their hardware, what software support
they offer, the price ranges, and their addresses.

Throughout the book there are pictures of 17 small
business systems ranging in price from $4,000 to $30,000.
The book’s large type, 8 I /2 by 11 -in. format, and clear non-
technical language make it a friendly, easy book for a first
timer to read and learn the basics.

99 pages $14

Introduction to TRS-80 Level II Basic
and Computer Programming
by Michael P. Zabinski, Ph.D.

Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

This is a clear, comprehensible, essentially self-teaching
book. Simply power up your computer to the point where
it displays MEMORY SIZE? and Dr. Zabinski will take you
from there.

Although the book follows the usual programming manual
approach by presenting categories of instructions grouped
into chapters, the language is presented effectively through
examples and exercises.

The book begins with specification details (constants and
variables), then describes exactly what programs are and how
to write, edit and debug them. Of great value to the beginner
is the comprehensive section on flowcharting, an often
glossed over subject— but highly important in organizing and
understanding programs.

Important programming subjects are also included: input/
output and formatting statements, looping and branching, IF-
THEN constructs, the library functions, subroutines, graphics
and string handling.

This Is certainly one of the best programming books avail-
able. It is highly recommended for first time TRS-80 users.
186 pages $14.95 —RS

Personal Computers Handbook

by Walter H. Buchsbaum, Sc.D.

Howard W. Sams, Indianapolis, IN

This book, while excellently written and illustrated, misses
the biggest information gap in the home computer market.
The book is primarily hardware oriented, and written at a level
requiring some background in electronics. It deals with logic
gates, timing diagrams, and the construction and operation of
charge coupled devices, bubble memories and other fas-

140 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

cinating, but esoteric, topics. Many who will understand
these chapters are probably already familiar with the funda-
mentals of how computer hardware functions.

Most home computer owners are no more interested in the
workings of the electronics than in how their TV works. What
the home computer enthusiast needs to know is more about
programs and programming— how to do it, where to buy it,
ideas about useful or entertaining applications.

To this end, the first two chapters are enlightening. They
discuss what computers really do, how to put your system to
work, and various applications: educational, art, accounting,
entertainment. There is an excellent chapter on principles of
programming, and one on selected examples. Perhaps the
most useful chapter is the one comparing the features of 1 5
systems, including approximate prices.

286 pages $11.95 — RS

People and Project Management

by Rob Thomsett

Yourdon Press, New York, NY

As the author points out, people, not project management
systems, manage systems. Establishing and maintaining such
a system so the flow of information can pass freely among the
programmers, analysts, designers, and users is Thomsett’s
first objective. Secondly, he wishes to stress that project
management must respond to the needs of the people working
on the project in order to have job satisfaction and to achieve
a common goal.

The first chapter reveals several recently developed
systems laws that help the team members cope with the com-

plexity and uncertainty inherent in all complex systems.
Subsequently, the concepts of control and information
are defined showing how they should interrelate.

Another chapter examines new discoveries regarding an
individual’s job satisfaction, motivation, and performance, and
the roles that management has in maximizing these issues.

Next, the author examines techniques for controlling
systems development through structured methodologies.
Such processes as work definition, planning, tracking and
reporting are covered.

Finally, a set of guidelines for project management in the
real world is presented, along with suggestions for imple-
menting these strategies in your own situation.

Further progress in technology can only come with
advances in the understanding of human interaction. This
book takes a significant step in that direction.

120 pages $10.50 — RS

33 Challenging Computer Games
for TRS-80/Apple/Pet
by David Chance

Tab Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA

Reviewed by Dennis Doonan

Computers are becoming a major focus of home entertain-
ment. Computer games are an alternative to television viewing
for many families. The programs in this book can also be used
to teach programming to those interested in Basic.

Of the 33 games, all but four can be used with either the
TRS-80, Apple, or Pet. Four programs use TRS-80 graphics

ADD DISK DRIVES T0V0UR
MODEL III AND MODEL I

$599

Fully compatible with Radio Shack’s operating system
TRSDOS.

• One, two, three, four drive configurations.

• 134K to over 1 Meg of storage

• 40 track and 80 track available

• 90 day warranty, 100% parts and labor

• Extended warranty available

Complete upgrade includes one mini-disk drive, power
supply, controller, and mounting hardware. IMMEDIATE
DELIVERY.

OUR RADIO
PRICE SHACK SAVINGS

Complete one drive kit $599. $849. 29%

Additional internal drive 265. 399. 34%

External drive 299. 499. 32%

80 track drives (inc. patch) add 195. ea. N/A
16K memory

(required to use drives)

Model III 32K w/VR Data
two drive assembly

RS232 Adapter Board

49. 119.

59%

1812 2380 . 24 %

75. 99. 25%

WE DISCOUNT RADIO SHACK & OTHER COMPUTER PRODUCTS

order call toll free (800) 345-8102, or (215) 461-5300 in PA.

VR Data Corporation • 777 Henderson

19 $299

We’ve broken through the three hundred dollar barrier.

• Fully compatible with TRSDOS™

• Fully compatible with RS Drives

• Easy plug-in installation

• Rigid extender board

• 90 day warranty — 100% parts and labor

• Extended warranty available — $45/year

• Choice of Tandon or MPI drives

• Includes power supply, enclosure, single sided —
40tk drive and EXTENDER BOARD

1 sided 80 tk - $41 9 2 sided 40tk - $41 9

2 sided 80tk - $549

MONTHLY SPECIALS

MX 80 $ 485

Microline 80 $ 425

NEC 5510 w/tractor $2550

PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

PUBLISHED PRICE REFLECTS CASH DISCOUNT

VR Data, a manufacturer of innovative computer products, is known worldwide
for quality, dependability and prompt, personal service since 1972

-&■

BJBLcop'

Boulevard • Folcroft, PA 19032

JULY 1981

INTERFACE AGE 141

Olympic sales compAny

[apple computer

" Authorized Dealer

at the lowest prices in the USA! - Our prices are TOO LOW
TO ADVERTISE - we maintain a large inventory of hardware,
software & accessories.

Apple II Plus - Apple II Integer Apple III
16K-32K-48K 96K and 128K

Disk Drive controller with DOS 3.3
Disk Drives - Graphics Tablets - Pascal - Fortran
VisiCalc - B/W & color monitors
Interface cards - Controller - Memory Expansion modules
Printers - 80 Column Card - Microsoft and on and on

HEWLETT All HP calculators & accessories available at

PACKARD riiscount '

HP-41 C V
HP-41 C

Quad Ram Upgrade HP-41 C to 2.2K
HP-85 Microcomputer
HP-83 Similar to HP-85 without printer
& cassette

16K Memory Module for HP-85 & HP-83
Graphics Plotter

Personality Module for Graphics Plotter
8 Disk Drives to choose from, 5 %" & 8"

Printer (impact) for HP-85 & HP-83, heavy duty
I/O ROM
l/B Interface

A complete line of accessories & supplies for above at discounted prices!

Retail

Your Cost

325.00

269.95

250.00

189.95

; 95.00

84.95

3250.00

2495.00

2250.00

1795.00

295.00

259.95

2200.00

1795.00

750.00

659.00

1300.00 & up 1099.00 & up

3950.00

3299.00

295.00

259.00

395.00

349.00

Texas Instruments

Retail

Your Cost

TI-99/4 Computer

950.00

449.95

10" Color Monitor/high resolution

374.95

319.95

32K Memory Module

399.95

314.95

Speech Synthesizer

149.95

129.95

Disk Memory Drive

499.95

394.95

RF Modulator

49.95

44.95

Telephone coupler (modem)

224.95

189.95

Printer (solid state)

399.95

319.95

and a full array of accessories & supplies ...all at discounted prices!

TI-59

295.00

199.95

TI-58C

130.00

92.95

PC-1 00C Printer/Plotter for 59 & 58 C

225.00

154.95

THE ATARI 800

Retail

Your Cost

800 16K bytes of RAM

1080.00

759.95

810 Diskdrive

599.95

469.95

81 5 Dual disk drive double density

1499.00

1175.00

825 Printer/80 col Centronic 737

999.95

779.95

820 Printer/40 col Impact

450.00

359.95

PRINTERS Retail Your Cost

MONITORS

Epson MX80 (with Graphics) 695.00 549.95

Epson MX70 450.00 399.95

RS-232 68.50

Paper Tiger 445G 894.00 695.00

Paper Tiger 460G 1394.00 1194.95

Paper Tiger 560G 1695.00 1399.95

Diablo

630/1 RO Advanced design 2695.00 2345.00
Centronics

PI Electrostatic 595.99 189.00

20 - 40- 80 col.,
upper/lower case

Paper for PI, per roll 6.95 4.50

Other models available, call for information.

Sanyo Retail Your Cost

9" B&W 235.00 149.95
12" Green 360.00 239.95
12" B&W 340.00 219.95
13" Color 550.00 379.95
15" B&W 360.00 249.95

OHIO SCIENTIFIC -Professional Computers

C8PDF-48K

Dual 8 " Drives , .7 MIPS (Fast!)

64 col x 32 line /col or video, many more
standard features-Fortran & Pascal available
Retail :$3295.00 Your Cost: $2995.00
Other OSI products available, at discounted prices!

We also carry:
SONY* CASIO
MATTEL*SEIKO
PEARLCORDER
CANON*CRAIG
ANADEX
^VICTOR and more!

HAZELTINE
Video Display Terminals
SHUGART Disk Drives
DEC VT100& VT103
NOVATION Modems
CAT, D-CAT, APPLE-CAT
at discounted prices,
of course!

for the best prices in the U.S.A. on computers,
peripherals & software. Call OSC TODAY!
Mastercharge & VISA (BankAmericard) are welcome!
Request our famous catalog in writing! TOLL-FREE Order Lines

SKSSSO- Angeles, C« 9.M JJ**}-** ««* "
HOURS: 800 - 252-21 53 Within CA

Main Store: Mon-Sat 8 AM to 6 PM, Sun 12 Noon to 5 PM /01 0\ TOO 1 1 Ofl

AM other stores: Mon-Sat 10 AM to 6 PM, Sun 12 Noon to 5 PM • O/ /OU" I I OU

Pasadena Store: 1756 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106

Ontario Store: 902 Mountain (Ontario Plaza Shopping Center), Ontario, CA 91762

El Segundo Store: 600 N. Sepulveda (at Leonard's), El Segundo, CA 90245

Costa Mesa Store: 2300 Harbor Blvd., No. 1 1 , Harbor Shopping Ctr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Olympic sales compAny

n nm / r-» rati riBar-

nuunnci/iEu/:]

as part of the game. In addition, the programs can be translated
to most 8K versions of Basic with little difficulty. Two parts of
the book will help with this translation. First is a chart com-
paring statements in three versions of Basic. A statement is
listed for one version and its equivalent is listed for the other
two. The appendix lists and explains statements peculiar to
each Basic.

For each game, there is a general description, a sample
run, a flow chart, and a source listing that can be entered
and played. The games are divided into eight categories
with several in each group. There are war games and
adventures, self-improvement and educational games,
calculation and speed games, and games using the
computer’s graphic capabilities.

Most of the games are designed for a single player to play
against the computer. While none are overly sophisticated,
they are challenging and interesting. Program design concepts
can be learned by reading the easy to follow source listing
and by studying the flow charts. With a little imagination, the
reader will be able to customize the games to his own
interests, or design his own.

The book provides a good buy for its entertainment and
educational values.

256 pages $7.95

RECENT BOOKSHELF ADDITIONS

TRS-80 Assembly Language

by Herbert S. Howe, Jr.

Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ $9.95

First Course in Data Processing in Basic

by J. Daniel Couger and Fred R. McFadden

John Wiley & Sons, Somerset, NJ $1 7.95

Basic-Pack Statistics Programs for Small Computers

by Dennie Van Tassel

Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ $1 6.95

Using Structured Design

by Wayne P. Stevens

John Wiley & Sons, Somerset, NJ $24.95

1981 Software Writers Market

Kern Publications, Duxbury, MA $45

Basically Speaking

A Guide to Basic Programming for the Interact Computer

Micro Video, Ann Arbor, Ml $1 4.95

The 6502 Instruction Handbook

Scelbi Publications, Elmwood, CT $4.95

Encyclopedia of Information Systems and Services
Fourth Edition

edited by Anthony T. Kruzas and John Schmittroh, Jr.

Gale Research Co., Detroit, Ml $1 75

H-8 Programming for Beginners

by Ron Santore, Don Inman and Bob Albrecht
Dilithium Press, Beaverton, OR $8.95

The PLL Synthesizer Cookbook

by Harold Kinley

Tab Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA $1 3.95

The Fortran Cookbook

by Thomas P. Dence

Tab Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA $14.95

Microcomputer Interfacing Handbook: A/D and D/A

by Joseph J. Carr

Tab Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA $14.95

JULY 1981

142 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 108

The finest

Data Base Manager
Available

_9taxi

Manager

JUST CHECK SOME OF THESE FEATURES

Supports six different relational search
techniques.

Comes with programmer’s interface.

Over 93 pages of documentation.
Supports up to 20 user defined fields of 40
characters each.

Record length up to 800 characters.

Files can be up to four disks in length.
Compatable 35, 40, 77 & 80 track drives.
Has calculated equation fields.

Complete report generator.

Data can be merged into letters.

£we ARE HOLDING THE PRICE AT $79.95 until the next
version (MAXI MANAGER 2) is ready. The MAXI
MANAGER 2 will support large fields, screen editing,
ability to add extra disk drives and much more! All
previous owners may then trade in their original disks
for the $20 difference in price. A conversion program
will also be included to update previous data files.
REGULAR SPECIAL A jq
PRICE INTRODUCTORY flW.WW
$ 99.95 PRICE SHIPPING & HANDLING

NOT INCLUDED

MAXI MANAGER for TRS-80 Models 1 & 3
Requires 48K of RAM and 1 Disk Drive Minimum.

COMPATABLE WITH NEWDOS 2.1.

NEWDOS 80 VERSION AVAILABLE FOR $10
AFTER INITIAL PURCHASE

MAXI MANAGER

TRS-80 DISK MODEL 1 012-0096 $79.95

MODEL 2 & 3 VERSIONS COMING SOON

NOTE 1: File size is dependant on memory size.

NOTE 2: Sequential files only.

NOTE 3: User must apply own driver routine.

NOTE 4: Hard copy print out only
NOTE 5: Four functions ( + - * ) only

NOTE 6: Same as note #5with a maximum of two calculated fields.

NOTE 7: Available as a separate program for $99.95.

NOTE 8: 120 character maximum.

NOTE 9: Data structures defined in manual.

NOTE 10: 132 characters maximum.

NOTE 11: User option (files can be read from ascending or descending order).

DATA MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM

COMPARISON CHART

Maximum tt of disks per fi le

Maximum tt of records per file

2450

Note 1

32.767

10,199

65,535

Maximum record length

249

254

800

255

Maximum tt of characters per field

249

254

255

Maximum tt of fields

127

153

Maximum tt of characters per field label

765

Variable length records (pack sectors)

Note 2

Yes

FIELD TYPES

Alphanumeric

Yes

Numeric

Yes

Fixed decimal numeric

Note 4

Yes

Date (MM/DD/YY)

Yes

Extended date (MM/DD/YYYY)

Yes

Calculated equation

Note 5

Note 6

Yes

Permanent fields

Yes

SORTING

Machine language assisted

Yes

Note 7

Yes

Sort by any field

Yes

Number of Sort Key fi les

Numeric sort

Yes

Ascending sort

Yes

Descending sort

Yes

Note 1 1

Yes

Sort within a selected range

Yes

Sort multiple fields simultaneously

Yes

FILE MAINTENANCE

Fixed length input fields

Yes

Single key entry of common data

Yes

Single field EDIT selection

Yes

Skip record (next or previous)

Yes

Search & EDIT record

Yes

Search & DELETE record

Yes

Auto rejection of alphanumeric data
in numeric field

Yes

RECORD SELECTION TECHNIQUES

Record number

Yes

Binary search (high speed)

Yes

Maximum tt of simultaneous keys

RELATIONAL COMPARISONS

Equal

Yes

Not equal

Yes

Greater than

Yes

Less than

Yes

Instring

Yes

AND / OR

Yes

Wild card masking

Yes

PRINTING

User specified page title

Note 8

Yes

Note 10

User specified column headings

Yes

Automatic page numbering

Yes

Right justification

Yes

User defined column widths

Yes

User defined column separators

Yes

Keyboard entered columnar values

Yes

Merge data into form letters

Yes

Form filling applications

Yes

Columnar totals

Yes

Columnar subtotals generated upon
change in a specific field

Yes

Built in screen print

Yes

MISCELLANEOUS

Cost

$75.00

$94.90

$99.95

$99.00

$79.95

Punctuation allowed within data fields

Yes

Upper / Lower case

Note 3

Yes

Note 3

Built in RS-232-C driver

Note 3

Yes

Note 3

Built-in TRS-232 driver

Note 3

Yes

Note 3

Programmer’s interface

Note 9

Yes

Note 9

Sample DATA disk

Yes

Documentation (tt of pages)

ON/ MAdventur&

INTERNATIONAL

A DIVISION OF SCOTT ADAMS, INC.

BOX 3435, LONGWOOD, FL 32750 • (305) 862-6917

CATALOG & ORDERING
TOLL FREE HOT LINE (800) 327-7172

] SAY YOU SAW IT IN INTERFACE AGE|

JULY 1981

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 90

INTERFACE AGE 143

Free Literature

B1T5

BVTE5

MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEMS

• Microcomputer Service

• Specialized Hardware Integration

• Hardware and Software Designs

• Software Development Systems to your

Specifications

• Business System Hardware for Resale

• I/Ve Stock Industrial Microsystems ,

North Star , PerSci, So roc, Tar bell.
Vector Graphic

1 I Li

■n — 1 1 —

BITS N BYTES
College Business Park
679 "D" S. State College Blvd.
Fullerton, Calif. 92631
(714) 879-8386
HOURS

11 A.M. - 6 P.M. M-F
Sat. — By Appt.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 93

MEDICAL BILLING

Our software for the Apple
keeps the Doctor away...

. . . away from needless
billing drudgery

The Pro-soft Medical Billing System for the
Apple II features:

•Up to ten physicians •Immediate Superbill
•Over 7000 accounts •Medicare, Medi-Cal, Other
•RVS and IDCA codes •Menu driven, easy to use
•Support and training

For more information call or write us - today!

Professional Medical Software
d? (213) 248-2884

^ 3604 Foothill Boulevard

? La Crescenta, CA 91214

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 114

Designer’s guide to TRW RF linear hybrid amplifiers
is a full-size, 108-page handbook that describes in
detail the construction and performance of 14 medium-
power, broadband gain amplifiers designed for use in a
variety of applications, including transmitter drivers,
instrumentation and receivers. Each device is fully
characterized through tables, graphs and engineering
drawings. TRW RF Semiconductors, 14520 Aviation
Blvd., Lawndale, CA 90260.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 201

Feeder drive system for controlling exact lengths of
strip metals fed into shears and presses used in metal-
working industry is described in 6-page brochure. The
publication describes how the drive system assures
accurate cut lengths of material by accelerating,
feeding, decelerating and holding strips to preset
positions with precise timing during each cycle. Bulletin
D-2637, Reliance Electric Co., 24703 Euclid Ave.,
Cleveland, OH 44117.

CIRLCE INQUIRY NO. 202

Customer service brochure describes the computer-
to-computer remote diagnostic program of BTI Com-
puter Systems. The concept of remotely diagnosing
customer system problems via the telephone was
pioneered by BTI. Service engineers, using local
terminals, communicate with customer systems over
standard telephone lines to execute remote diagnostics
while troubleshooting system problems. BTI Computer
Systems, 870 W. Maude Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 203

Report catalog describes reports on 52 categories of
popular equipment and management methods. The
reports contain informative narratives, comparison
charts, prices, specifications and characteristics on
currently available information processing products
and services. User ratings are included in many reports.
Datapro Research Corp., 1805 Underwood Blvd.,
Delran, NJ 08075.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 204

Switching power supply handbook details the elec-
trical and mechanical parameters on AC-DC and DC-DC
power supplies. It is a complete presentation for the
design engineer. Detailed specifications are presented
in tabular form, including complete case, pin and
socket configurations. Power General, 152 Will Dr.,
Canton, MA 02021.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 20S

Process instrument and service capabilities are
detailed in application reference brochure. The publi-
cation describes Honeywell Corp.’s team approach in
serving customer instrument and service needs, and
highlights the company’s application information,
stand alone instruments, parts supplies and service
capabilities. Honeywell/L.C.S., P.O. Box 5012, Clifton,
NJ 07012.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 2M

144 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

Nfml ACM/P
u^tfi

®RCE*tfxM«CS

n/ru*feft& fw tfc*TRS-80

CENTRONICS 779

Same as Radio Shack Line Printer I C* 7 QQ
LIST PRICE $1350 OUR PRICE S> I Z/%7

CENTRONICS 737

Featuring Correspondence, Quality and
Proportional Spacing LIST $995

OUR PRICE f Wv/i

less rebate of 150 .
Receive factory Rebates from net cost: $649

Centronics with coupon from MMM (add $7.50 for shipping)

(Ship freight collect)

CENTRONICS 730

Same as Radio Shack
Line Printer II

LIST $795

OUR PRICE

$ 599 .

less rebate of 100 .

iet cost: $499

(add $7.50 for shipping)

TM TRS-80 is a trademark
of Radio Shack

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 107

Disc Drive
Values
for TRS-80

Your Choice
514” Disk Drives

Shugart,

MPI-51, orTandon

w/case & Power Supply

$499 VALUE

MMM PRICE ONLY

$329

Zfor $638

Mini Micro Mart. Inc

1618 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203
(315) 422-44 67 _ TWX 710-541 0431

Disc/3

MART, INC.

GO FOR IT!

FOR PRICE, QUALITY & RELIABILITY

ADDS REGENT 25 $ 925.00

ANACOM Printer (Ser./Par.) 150CPS .... 1095.00

ANADEX Printer DP-9000 1299.00

ANADEX Printer DP-9500/9501 1350.00

BASE 2 Printer with options 625.00

CENTRONICS Printer 779 w/tractor 975.00

CENTRONICS Printer 730 (Parallel) 675.00

CENTRONICS Printer 737 (Parallel) 775.00

EATON Dot Matrix Parallel 399.00

EPSON MX 80 499.00

MICRO-TERMS Call

OKIDATA Microline Series Call

TELEVIDEO 920-B 795.00

PAPER TIGER 460G 1175.00

TRIMM— Printer Stand with basket 95.00

CALL FOR QUOTES ON ANY OTHER MICRO PRODUCTS

We are dealers for BASF, DYSAN, 3M(SCOTCH) Dis-
kettes, Cartridges, Mag Tape, etc. In addition we carry a
complete line of Printer Ribbons and other data process-
ing accessories.

1840 LINCOLN BLVD.,
SANTA MONICA, CA 90404
(213) 450-5911 (call collect)

Disc/3

MART, INC.

PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 100

NorthStar^

HORIZON II COMPUTERS

32K DD 2295 °°

32 K QUAD 2650 °°

FACTORY ASSEMBLED AND TESTED

PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

MEASUREMENT

EPSON MX80

SYSTEMS & CONTROL

MEMORY BOARDS

call for $$$

DM6400

5599

[COMPLETE LINE OF COMPUTER SUPPLIES ..
*** AUTHORIZED SALES & SERVICE ***
for

COD-CHECK OR MONEY ORDER — CHARGES ADD 4%.

LONG ISLAND

COMPUTER GENERAL STORE

103 ATLANTIC AVE. LYNBROOK NEW YORK 11563

( 516 ) 887-1500

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 103

Quick Register
continued from page 74

QUICK REGISTER 1 2

-1 1-1 980

S = SALES RECEIPT

R = REVIEW TODAYS

SALES

END = END OF RUN

SELECT action

FROM TABLE ABOVE_S__

QUANTITY ?

0 = NO MORE ITEMS SOLD._1_

PART NUMBER ?

1023000

QUANTITY ?

0 = NO MORE ITEMS SOLD. _3_

PART NUMBER ?

1053050

QUANTITY ?

0 = NO MORE ITEMS SOLD. 0

CHECK QUANTITY AND PART NUMBERS FOR

SALES TICKET

ITEM

# QUANTITY PART NUMBER

1 1023000

3 1053050

ANY CHANGES ?

Y = YES, N = NO_Y_

CHANGE WHICH

ITEM NUMBER ?_2

INDICATE CHANGE. Q = QUANTITY, PN = PART NUMBER_Q_

NEW QUANTITY

?_2_

CHECK QUANTITY AND PART NUM8ERS FOR

SALES TICKET

1 TEM

# QUANTITY PART NUMBER

1 1023000

2 1053050

ANY CHANGES ?

Y = YES, N = NO_N_

Figure 4. Entries to produce sales invoice

Discount. 40 equals 40%

Retail price

Quantity on hand

Minimum stock level

Maximum stock level

On order

Quantity sold this month

Quantity sold year to date

Part number in index. Increments of 50.

Record number of the part P in the file PART.

Sales invoice number

NAM$

Store name to appear on sales receipt

SR$

Street address of store.

CTY$

City where store is located.

ST$

State where store is located.

Store ZIP code.

PH$

Phone number of store.

RMK$

Remarks that will appear at the bottom of
the sales receipt.

TAX

Tax rate for the store. .05 equals 5%.

Enter the quantities and part numbers for the items
as sold and not only will legible sales receipts be
printed for your customer, but your inventory will be
updated instantly.

Excerpted from the book Inventory Management for
Small Computers by Dilithium Press, Beaverton, OR. □

Remaining figures and program follow

146 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

UNTIL TODAY THERE WERE MORE THAN 20 DATA BASE MANAGERS FOR THE APPLE II.

NOW THERE’S ONLY ONE!

DB MASTER

THE APPLE DATA BASE MANAGER YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

If you want an easy-to-use, flexible, and versatile data base manager, you have a choice of one. DB MASTER from Stoneware
Microcomputer Products - soon to become the standard by which all others will be judged.

But don't just take our word for it. Compare the many advanced features of DB MASTER with the data base manager you're
now using. Or for that matter, compare it with any data base manager on the market. No one will even come close.

DB OTHER

FILING SYSTEM:

Maximum search time to find any UNDER

record by its primary key 3 SECS.

True ISAM file system with multi-field

primary keys YES

Multiple secondary keys for rapid

access (5-7 seconds) to records

by any field YES

Primary & Secondary keys maintained
automatically— no need to
rebuild keys after adding

records YES

Maximum record size (bytes) 1020

Maximum number of fields/record .. 100

Handles files with more than one

diskette of data YES

Custom disk operating system (DOS)
for faster data retrieval and

program chaining YES

User-designed screen formats YES

Up to 9 screen “pages” per record . . . YES

Ten field types, including dollar/cents,
phone & social security number,

date, etc YES

Automatic data compaction for

increased disk storage capacity. YES
Wild card, partial string, range and

Boolean search capabilities . . . YES
Dynamic prompting (tm) - lists all

available functions on screen-
no need for quick reference card. YES

Password file protection YES

Four function calculator mode YES

Daily update lists for printout of all
records added/edited on any day
or range of dates YES

REPORT GENERATOR:

Send reports to screen or printer YES .

Sort on up to 6 fields at a time YES .

Column subtotals and totals YES .

Subtotal and page breaks YES

Up to 24 computed fields per report . YES

Up to 9 lines of column titles YES

Up to 9 lines for each record YES

Maximum number of fields per report 100
Code fields - store short codes, print

long descriptions YES

Comment lines and footnotes YES

Comment fields for printing labels or

headers within each record . . . YES
Summary only reports YES

Have a more complex application? DB MASTER can be
used to emulate the hierarchical data base manager s used
with larger computer systems!

A typical Hierarchical File Structure:

(Learn more about emulating a hierarchical data base
in our 140 page user’s manual.)

Coming soon:

DB MASTER UTILITY PAK #1: Add, drop or change fields
in existing files without re-entering data!
Interchange DB MASTER files with VisiCalc* and
other programs!

DB MASTER FOR HARD DISK SYSTEMS
DB MASTER FOR THE APPLE III

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 115

JULY 1981

Apple, Apple II & Apple III are trademarks of Apple Computer. Inc. VisiCalc is a trademark of Personal Software, Inc.

INTERFACE AGE 147

DO YOU WANT A PRINTED COPY ? Y

YES

N = NO Y

SALES

INVOICE # 1 1

SAILING CENTER

1 2-1 1

-1 980

LAKEV 1 EW

DRIVE BENBROOK

, TEXAS 761 26

(888) 222-1234

1 TEM #

QUANT 1 TY

PART NUMBER

DE SCR 1 PT 1 ON

PRICE

TOTAL

1023000

TRAVELER CAR

3 . 5

1053050

T 1 LLER X HNG

5 . 5

1 1

TOTAL

$14,50

TAX

.73

TOTAL

$15.23

SAI LBOATS

AND SUPPLIES

HIT RETURN WHEN READY.

Figure 5. Entries to print the sales invoice

SELECT

ACTION

FROM

TABLE ABOVE

DO YOU

WANT A

PRINTED COPY ? Y

= YES, N = NO

DAILY SALES

REPORT

12-11-1980

ITEM #

QUANT 1 TY

PART NUMBER

DE SCR 1 PT ION

PR ICE

TOTAL

1010000

GUDGEON

3 . 5

1053050

T 1 LLER X HNG

5 . 5

1009200

DRAIN PLUG GASK

1.05

3.15

1050300

BALL 1 7/8

6 . 5

1 3

1026000

CLEAT JAM

1.65

1,65

1047050

CAM

3.98

19.9

1 046050

RUDDER LOCK KIT

2.75

5 . 5

1023000

TRAVELER CAR

3 . 5

1 0

1053050

T 1 LLER X HNG

5 . 5

1 1

1 023000

TRAVELER CAR

3 . 5

1 2

1053050

TILLER X HNG

5 . 5

1 1

TOTAL

$84.70

SALES

TAX

$4.24

GRAND

TOTAL

$88.94

HIT RETURN WHEN

PART

it j ii ii

" 1 009200" , "2305
"1 01 0000" , "2300
» 1 023000" , "21 52
"102

READY.

Figure 6. Daily sales report

"RECORDS" ,42, 0,-3, 0,0, 0,3, 3
", "DRAIN PLUG GASK" , " S" , 40, 1 . 05, -2 , 1 , 1 , 0 , 1 3 , 1 9
" , "GUDGEON " , "F» , 45, 3. 5 , -1 ,2,3,0,10,16

» , "TRAVELER CAR »,» S" ,40,3.5,-9,1,12,0,20,26

I NDEX
1009200, 2

TICKET#

1 3

VENDOR

"SAILING CENTER" , " LAKE V I EW DR I VE " , " 3ENBROOK " , "TEXAS" ," 76126 ","(888) 222-123

4" , "SAI LBOATS AND SUPPLIES" , .05

Figure 7. Printout of files used

148 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

JULY 1981 INTERFACE AGE 149

Program listing

QUICK1 .BAS

REM

QUICK

CBASIC.

REM

CHUCK

ATKINSON

REM

RT 5

BOX 277-C FORT WORTH

TEXAS 76126

PRINT CHRSC26) REM CLEAR THE SCREEN.

REM READ HEADING & TAX DATA FROM VENDOR FILE RECORD #1.

N$=" VENDOR"

FILE N $ C 1 5 0 )

N = 1

IF END #1 THEN 780

READ #1,N;NAM$,SR$,CTY$,ST$„Z$,PH$,RMK$„TAX
CLOSE 1
GOTO 790

780 PRINT "VENDOR FILE NOT ON DISK. "

PRINT "NO REPORT HEADINGS OR TAX INFORMATION."

790 PRINT "ERASE THE DAILY FILE AT THE START OF EACH DAY."
PRINT

PRINT "DO YOU WANT TO ERASE THE DAILY SALES FILE ? "
INPUT "Y = YES, N = NO.";X$

IF X $= " Y " THEN 795
GOTO 800

REM CREATE THE DAILY SALES FILE.

795 CREATE "DAILY" RE CL 50 AS 3

W=1 :Y$ = " DAILY S AL E S" : A = 0 : W$ = " R E CO R D S " : D = 1
PRINT #3,D;Y$,W, A, W$

CLOSE 3

PRINT CHRSC26)

800 INPUT "TODAY'S D AT E? " > L INE DATES

PRINT REM READ LAST INVOICE NUMBER FROM FILE.

S$="T I CKE T# "

FILE SS ( 1 5 )

D = 1

IF END U 1 THEN 802

READ #1 , D ; S I
CLOSE 1
GOTO 805
802 CLOSE 1
S 1 = 1

REM DISPLAY TABLE OF OPERATIONS.

805 PRINT CHRSC26)

REM PRINT SALES TICKETS AND POST TO FILE IN ONE STEP
PRINT

PRINT TAB(27) ; "QUICK R E G I ST E R" ; T AB ( 4 3 ) ; D AT E$

PRINT TAB (27); "S = SALES RECEIPT"

PRINT T A B ( 2 7 ) ;"R = REVIEW TODAYS SALES”

PRINT TAB(27);"END = END OF RUN"

INPUT "SELECT ACTION FROM TABLE ABOVE";A$

IF A$= " S " THEN 808
IF A$= " R " THEN 880
IF A$ = " E N D " THEN 895
GOTO 805

REM CREATE FILE TO HOLD THIS SALES RECEIPT NUMBER.

808 CREATE "POSTING" R E CL 40 AS 4
SI=SI+1
Q=0 : N=0 : PN=0
810 PRINT CHRSC26)

N=N+1 REM ENTER ITEMS SOLD

INPUT "QUANTITY ? 0 = NO MORE ITEMS SOLD.",Q

IF Q=0 THEN 820

INPUT "PART NUMBER ?";P$

PRINT #4,N;P$,Q REM RECORD DATA IN POSTING FILE

GOTO 810
820 N=0

PRINT C H R$ ( 26 )

REM DISPLAY DATA FOR OPERATOR
PRINT TAB(10);\

"CHECK QUANTITY AND PART NUMBERS FOR SALES TICKET"
PRINT

PRINT TAB(IO) ;"ITEM # " ; T AB ( 20 ) ; " Q U A NT I T Y " ; T A B ( 30 ) ; \
"PART NUMBER"

830 N = N + 1 REM DISPLAY ITEMS ON THIS SALE.

IF END #4 THEN 835

1 50 INTERFACE AGE JUL Y 1981

835

840

845

847

850

852

855

READ #4,N;P$,Q

PRINT TAB(10);N;TAB(20) ; Q; T AB ( 30) ; PS
GOTO 830
PRINT

INPUT "ANY CHANGES ? Y = YES, N = NO";A$

IF A$="N" THEN 840 REM MAKE CORRECTIONS TO SALES LIST.

N = 0

INPUT "CHANGE WHICH ITEM NUMBER ?";N
IF END #4 THEN 840
READ #4 , N ; P$ , Q
PRINT

PRINT "ENTER CHANGE. "

INPUT "Q = QUANTITY, PN = PART NUMBE R" ; AS
PRINT

IF A$= "Q" THEN INPUT "NEW QUANTITY ?";Q
IF A$="PN" THEN INPUT "NEW PART NUMBER"; PN
PRINT #4,N;P$,Q
GOTO 820

REM POST QUANTITIES TO PARTS FILE AND READ LIST
REM PRICE FOR SALES RECEIPT. ADD TO DAILY FILE.

GOSUB 900
M=0 : T=0 : 1=0

PRINT "SALES INVOICE tt " ; S I ; T AB C 5 7 ) ; D AT E$

PRINT TA8(20);NAM$

PRINT TAB(10);SRS;" ";CTY$;", ";ST$;" ";Z$

PRINT TAB(20);PH$

PRINT "ITEfi tt ";TAB(10);" QUANTITY ";TAB(20);\

"PART NUMBER ";T AB(35) ;\

" DESCRIPTION ";TAB(55) ;"PRICE";TAB(65) ; "TOTAL"

M = M+ 1

IF END tt'\ THEN 875

READ #1,M;P$,Q REM READ FIRST ITEM ON THIS SALE.
OPEN "B:PART" R E CL 80 AS 2
OPEN "DAILY" R E CL 50 AS 3
OPEN "B: INDEX" RECL 18 AS 4
T = 1

IF END #4 THEN 850

READ #4,T;P,K REM LOCATE PART IN INDEX.

IF P = PN THEN 850
IF P> PN THEN 852
T = T + 1
GOTO 847
I = K

CLOSE 4 REM PART RECORD NUMBER LOCATED.

GOTO 855
I = K- 5 0
CLOSE 4

IF END U2 THEN 875

READ #2,I;P REM LOCATE P/N IN PARTS FILE.

IF P = PN THEN 860

IF P > PN THEN PRINT "PART NUMBER ";P;" NOT FOUND.
CLOSE 3 : \

CLOSE 2 : GOTO 845
1 = 1 + 1
GOTO 855

REM READ PART NUMBER DATA.

860 READ #2, I; P$,L$,V$, D$,N,R,OH,MN, MX, 00, S, YT

REM CALCULATE TOTALS AND SALES TAX.

ST=Q*R :DT = DT + ST :T AXT = T AX*DT

REM PRINT DATA FOR SALES RECEIPT.

PRINT M;TAB(9);Q;TAB(20);PS;TAB(35);D$;TAB(54);\

R ; T AB ( 64) ; ST

OH=OH-Q REM REDUCE QUANTITY ON HAND BY AMOUNT SOLD

S=S+Q REM ADD QUANTITY SOLD TO MONTH AND

YT = YT + Q REM YEAR TOTALS.

865 PRINT #2,I;P$,L$,D$,V$,N,R,0H,MN,MX,00,S, YT
D = 1

OPEN "DAILY" RECL 50 AS 3
IF END tt 3 THEN 870

REM READ DAILY FILE FOR tt OF RECORDS.

READ #3,D;Y$,W,A,W$

W = W + 1 : D = W

PRINT #3,D;P$,R,Q,D$ REM RECORD SALE IN DAILY FILE
D = 1

REM INCREASE RECORD TOTAL IN FILE BY 1.

PRINT #3,D;Y$,W,A,W$

CLOSE 3

CLOSE 2 REM RETURN FOR NEXT ITEM ON THIS SALE

GOTO 845

870 PRINT "NO DAILY SALES FILE."

CLOSE 4
CLOSE 3
CLOSE 2
GOTO 1000

REM TOTAL SALES RECEIPT.

875 PRINT USING "TOTAL $$tt tt , tt tt tt . tt tt” ; T ABC51 ) ;DT

PRINT USING "TAX $$tt tt , tt tt tt . tt tt" ; T AB ( 5 1 ); T AXT
TOT = DT + T AXT

PRINT USING "TOTAL S $tt tt , tt tt tt . tt It" ; T A B C 5 1 ); T 0 T
PRINT

PRINT TABC10) ;RMK$

CONSOLE

INPUT "HIT RETURN WHEN READY.";

GOTO 1000

REM DISPLAY DAILY SALES ACTIVITY.

880 GOSUB 900
D = 1

■<

OO . 3 “

c3h ?

S£^

Z.- © 3

o g £<'

9: 0) CD

Er w

CD ¥ © Q3_

•s< O O
Q) -o
o -a TD

03 ^

Og CL

~9*< cn

<p% §.?

co g m tu
OilflT

3<°2 T »S| a
" 3 - 5 g o' 5 52.

2 Q.C W® - ^ g" 1

■O ” O CD c -< 5 ^

^(DC-OwO^x;
o C CD CO ^ CD

tO T “i — * — I C/3 -5

1-3^3 §.3“

-D 3 O ™ <
c'o m. w r

h 3- X ^5
to Omi
2IO:

CD >0 C

a-IDn-

“0,03
CD 13 <

a->r

rnQDj

> C/3 Q-T3 CD c

> X c CD 5* ?

> r 3 s* 3 ;
!|2if

> 1-03-9.

> O nfD <

: ■ 33cr“

O CO O Jr. ~ CD CD Q.

— irnT-r^ —

OPEN "DAILY" RE CL 50 AS 1

PRINT TAB (20); "DAILY SALES R E PO RT " ; T AB ( 6 5 ) ; D A T E$

PRINT "ITEM # " ; T AB(10) ; "QUANTITY";T AB(20) ;\

"PART NUMBER ";T AB(33) ;\

" DESCRIPTION ";TAB(50);" PRICE ";TAB(65);" TOTAL"

885 D = D + 1

IF END # 1 THEN 890
READ #1,D;P$,R,Q,D$

ST = Q* R
RT = R T + S T

PRINT D;TAB(9) ; Q; TAB (20) ; PS;TAB(33) ; DS\

;T AB ( 49 ) ; R;TAB(64) ;ST
TAXT = T AX*RT
TOT = RT + T AXT
GOTO 885

890 PRINT USING "TOTAL $$###, ###.## ";T AB(43) ;RT

PRINT USING "SALES TAX $$##, ###.##"; T AB( 43) ; T AXT

PRINT USING "GRAND TOTAL $$ ###,###.##"; T A B ( 4 3 ); T OT

CLOSE 1

CONSOLE

INPUT "HIT RETURN WHEN READY.";

GOTO 805

REM RECORD LAST INVOICE NUMBER IF TICKET# FILE.

895 IF SI=0 THEN 9990

OPEN "TICKET#" RE CL 15 AS 1
D = 1

PRINT #1,D;SI
CLOSE 1
GOTO 9990

REM PRINTER OPTION.

900 PRINT CH R$ ( 26 )

PRINT "DO YOU WANT A PRINTED COPY ?

INPUT "Y = YES, N = NO";PTR$

IF PT R$ = " Y " THEN LPRINTER WIDTH 80
PRINT C H RS ( 2 6 )

RETURN

REM TURNAROUND SUBROUTINE.

1000 CLOSE 1
GOTO 805

9990 PRINT

PRINT "ARE THE BACK UP FILES CURRENT ?"

PRINT "REMOVE DISKS FROM DRIVES BEFORE TURNING OFF POWER"
PRINT

9999 END

152 INTERFACE AGE

Bulletin Board

continued from page 99

Table of variables

' Used to input responses? e*s* in INKEY* loops*

ANS

Used to store response to yes/no Questions*

riN

Current hour? input by user*
Current minutes? input by user*

HSS( n )

Array s tor ins messages*

N -N7
NH

FOR-NEXT loop counters*
Number of messages*

Number of people for whom messages have been left*

NPS( n )

Array storins names of people for whom messages have been left*

PUS(r. >

Array storins passwords of authorized users*

RT*(n>

Array storins password needed to retrieve rtS$(n)*

Current time? rightmost eisht characters of TIMES*

USERS ( n )

Array storins names of authorized users of bulletin board*

Sample run

RUN

00:O0U2

ENTER CURRENT HOUR? li
ENTER CURRENT MINUTES? 40

11:40:04

LOAD EXISTING MESSAGE FILE (Y/N) ? N

i 1 * 40 * 12

DO YOU WANT lO ♦

1* ) TURN ON BULLETIN BOARD
2.) AUTHORIZE NEW USERS

ENTER CHOICE; 1
ENTER PASSWORD: ? BUSCH

MEET ME AT GUIDO'S AT NOON — CATHY ♦ 11145:40

Program listing

40 CLEAR 8000

50 Dirt USERS' 100 )?PU$< 100 )?RT$< 50 )?NMS< 50 >?NP(50 )?MSS< 100 )?NP$( 50 )
60 7 ****** SET CURRENT TIrtE ******

70 CMD" CLOCK"

so cls:print:print

90 INPUT “ENTER CURRENT HOUR"?HR*

100 HR=UAL( HRS )

110 IF HR>24 GOTO 90

120 INPUT “ENTER CURRENT MINUTES" ?MN$

130 MN=VAL<MN$)

140 IF HN>59 GOTO 120
150 POKE 1645i?HR
160 POKE 16450 ?HN
170 POKE 16449? 0

130 7 ****** CHOOSE ONE LINE FOR YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM : ******

190 ' POKE 23461 t0 t' FOR NEWD0S 2*1
200 7 POKE 23886 rO \ J FOR TRSDQS 2 *2/2 *3
210 7 POKE 17257?0 t' FOR NEWDOS 80

220 7 ****** MENU ******

230

240

250

260

270

280

290

300

310

320

330

340

cls:print:print

INPUT “LOAD EXISTING MESSAGE FILE (Y/N) “?ANS

IF LEFT$( ANS ?1 )=”Y“ GOSUB 1520

CLS! PRINT: PRINT

PRINT “DO YOU WANT TO J"

PRINT “ 1.) TURN ON BULLETIN BOARD"

PR ™T " 2.) AUTHORIZE NEW USERS"

PRINT “ENTER CHOICE :»}

A$=INKEY$:iF A$=" " GOTO 320
A=UAL< At )

IF A<1 OR A>2 GOTO 320

350 ' ****** LOAD USER FILE FROM DISK ******

360 OPEN " I" r 1» " USERS
370 INPUT #1 tUS

JULY 1981 INTERFACE AGE 153

ENTER lHOICE: r 1

1 1 1 40 1 22

HIT ANY KEY TO ENTER OR RETRIEVE MESSAGES
****** BULLETIN BOARD ******

NO MESSAGES FILED AT THIS TIME

DO YOU WANT TO:

1*) RETRIEVE MESSAGE
2.) FILE A MESSAGE

11 : 45:30

ENTER CHOICER T 2

11 : 45:35

1. ) DAVID BUSCH

2. ) CATHY BUSCH
3. i MICHAEL BUSCH
4. ) ANYONE

ENTER NUMBER OF RECIPIENT : ? 1

ENTER MESSAGE! MEET ME AT GUIDO’S AT NOON -- CATHY.

11559:00

HIT ANY KEY TO ENTER OR RETRIEVE MESSAGES
****** BULLETIN BOARD ******

1 MESSAGES FILED FOR 5

DAVID BUSCH

DO YOU WANT TO:

1. ) RETRIEVE MESSAGE

2. ) FILE A MESSAGE

ENTER CHOICE: ? 1

1. ) DAVID BUSCH

2. ) FINISHED RETRIEVING MESSAGES:

U559510

li:59:i4

380 5 FOR N=1 TU US
390 : INF'Ui *1.USER*( N )

400 : INPUT *1 .PW*I N >

410 : NEXT N

420 CLOSE 1

430 ON A GOTO 620.450

440 ' ****** ENTER NEW USERS' NAMES ******

450 cls:print:prini

460 US=US+1

470 INPUT “ENTER NAME OF NEW USER :" »USER*( US )

480 INPUT "ENTER PASSWORD FOR NEW USER :“JPW*<US)

490 cls:print:print

500 INPUT “DO YOU WANT TO ENTER ANOTHER USER "JAN*
510 IF LEFT*'. AN*rl )=“Y" GOTO 450

520 '****** SAVE USERS TO DISK ******

530 OPEN "0“.1.“ USERS"

540 PRINT *1.US

550 5 FOR N=1 TO US

560 5 PRINT *1, USER*! N )»“,“»

570 : PRINT *lrPW*(N)J"r"J

580 { NEXT N
590 CLOSE 1
600 GOTO 230

610 '****** TURN ON BULLETIN BOARD ******

620 CLS! PRINT :print

630 PRINT @ 80. “HIT ANY KEY TO ENTER OR RETRIEVE MESSAGES"
640 PRINT g 208." ****** BULLETIN BOARD ******“ J
650 A*=INKEY*

660 PRINT @ 336. STRING*: 60.32 )J

670 IF MFLAG=0 PRINT @ 336.“ NO MESSAGES FILED AT THIS TIME
680 PRINT MFLAGJ" MESSAGES FILED FOR :"

690 : FOR N2=l TO NP

700 5 IF NP*(N2)<>““ PRINT NP*!N2)

710 : NEXT N2

720 : FOR N=1 TO 10

730 : NEXT N

740 IF A*=“ " GOTO 650

"JtGOTO 720

750 v ****** ACTIVAlt RE I KltVAL/tNI KY ******

760 cls:print:prin 1

770 PRINT “DO YOU WANT TO :"

780 PRINT “ 1.) RETRIEVE MESSAGE"

790 PRINT “ 2. ) FILE A MESSAGE"

800 PRINT

810 PRINT “ ENTER CHOICE 5";

154 INTERFACE AGE JULY 1981

820 A$=INKEY$ l IF A$=' 1 '* GOTO 820
830 A=VAL(A$)

840 IF A<1 OR A>2 GOTO 820
850 IF A=i AND MFLAG=0 GOTO 620
860 ON A GOTO 880 r 1130

870 7 ****** RETRIEVE A MESSAGE ******

880 cls:print:print

890 : FOR N4=l TO NM

900 t PRINT N4?% ) ,l ?NN$(N4)

910 : IF N4/10=INT( N4/10 ) GOSUB 1670

920 : NEXT N4

930 PRINT NM+1»" ♦ ) FINISHED RETRIEVING MESSAGES'*
940 PRINT

950 PRINT " ENTER CHOICE t n »

960 INPUT A*

970 A=VAL( A$ )

930 IF A<1 OR A>NM+1 GOTO 960

990 7 ****** PRINT OUT MESSAGE IF PASSWORD MATCHES *******

iooo cls:print:print

1010 IF A=NH+1 GOTO 620

1020 CLStPRINTtPRINT

1030 IF RT$< A )=“ “ GOTO 1060

1040 INPUT‘*ENTER PASSWORD J'SPWJ

1050 IF PW$ORT«(A) GOTO 620

1060 CLS* PRINT* PRINT

1070 PRINT HS$( A )

1080 PRINT

1090 PRINT “HIT ANY KEY TO CONTINUE**

1100 A$=INKEY$:iF A$=* 1,i GOTO 1100
1110 GOTO 880

1120 7 ****** FILE A MESSAGE ******

1130 cls: print: print

1140 NM=HM+i

1150 : FOR N3=l TO US

1160 : PRINT N3f M * ) " »USERt( N3 )

1170 t NEXT N3

1180 PRINT USF1 r “ ♦ ) ANYONE**

1190 PRINT

1200 PRINT “ENTER NUMBER OF RECIPIENT
1210 INPUT A$

1220 A=VAL( A$ )

1230 IF A<1 OR AMJS+i THEN GOTO 1210
124y MFLAG=MFLAG+1

1260 K UT " ENTER MESSAGE : ,: tMS$(NM)

1270 : FOR N5=l TO NP

1280 J IF A=NP( N5 ) GOTO 1330

1290 : NEXT N5

1300 NP( NP )=A

1310 IF A=US+1 THEN NP$< NP )=" ANYONE" ♦ GOTO 1330
1320 NP$( NP )=USER$( A )

1330 T$=RIGHT$( TIME$*8 )

1340 MS$( NM )=MS$( NM )+** : “+T$

1350 IF A=US+1 THEN RT$( NM )=*‘ , ‘ JNM$( NM )='* ANYONE** J GOTO 1380
1360 NM$( NM )=USER$( A )

1370 RT$( NM )=PW$( A )

1380 OPEN “0“ f1, “MESSAGES'*

1390 PRINT #1>NM
1400 FOR N7=l TO NM

1410 PRINT #lrCHR$( 34 )rMS$( N7 )? CHR$( 34 )f" »**

1420 PRINT #lfNM$(N7 )?**»'*?

1430 PRINT #lfRT$(N7)»% n r
1440 NEXT N7
1450 PRINT UrNP
1460 FOR N=1 TO NP
1470 PRINT #lrNP$< N)

1480 NEXT N
1490 CLOSE 1
1500 GOTO 620

1510 7 ****** LOAD MESSAGES FROM DISK ******

1520 OPEN “I M ? lsr “MESSAGES “

1530 INPUT #lrNM

1540 FOR N7=l TO NM

1550 LINEINPUT *1 yMS$( N7 )

1560 INPUT *lrNrt*(N7)

1570 INPUT *lrRT$< N7)

1580 NEX1 N/

1590 INPUT *1*NP
1600 f-UK N=1 TO NP
1610 INPUT ♦! rNP$( N )

1620 NEXT N
1630 CLOSE 1
1640 Kf-LAG=Nf1
1650 RETURN

1660 7 ****** PAGE SUBRUUMNE ******

1670 PRINT

1680 PRINT “HI I ANY KEY TO SEE REST OF MESSAGE LIST "
1690 PRINT

1700 Af=INKEY$;iF A$= MM GOTO 1700

1710 cls;print:print

1720 RETURN

MOVING SALE

MODEM SALE
$129.00

THE STAR
MODEM
from

LIVERMORE

FEATURE

FITS GTE HANDSETS!

2 YEAR WARRANTY

EXCLUSIVE ACOUSTIC CHAMBERS

The exclusive triple seal of Livermore’s new flat'mounted
cups locks the handset into the acoustic chamber yielding
superior acoustic isolation and mechanical cushioning.
Designed to adapt to most common handsets used
throughout the world, the STAR offers the utmost in flex-
ibility and transmission reliability. A

Specifications:

• Data Rate: 0 to 300 baud

• Compatibility: Bell 103 and 113; CCITT r

• Frequency Stability: ±0.3 percent. Crystal controlled

• Receiver Sensitivity: —50 dBm ON, —53 dBm OFF

• Modulation: Frequency shift keyed (FSK)

• Carrier Detect Delay: 1.2 seconds ON; 120 msec OFF

• EIA Terminal Interface: Compatible with RS 232
specifications

• Teletype Interface: 20 milliampere current loop

• Optional Interfaces: IEEE 488; TTL; TTY 43

• International (CCITT) frequencies available

• Switches: Originate/Off/Answer; Full Duplex/Test/Half
Duplex

• Indicators: Transmit Data, Receive Data, Carrier
Ready, Test

• Power: Supplied by 24 VAC/1 50 MA UL/CSA listed wall-
mount transformer. Input 115 VAC, 2.5 watts. (A 220
VAC, 50 Hz adaptor is available upon request.)

• Dimensions: 10" x 4" x 2"

• Weight: 1.74 lbs. (3 lbs. shipping weight including AC
adaptor.)

• Warranty: Two years on parts and labor, excluding the
AC adaptor which carries the manufacturer's warranty

Part No. Description List Price SALE PRICE

LIV-STAR RS232, TTL, 20 MA

Current Loop $199.00 $129.00

LIV-STAR-V21 CCITT European Standard $229.00 S209.00

LIV-IEEE IEEE 488 Standard $395.00 $279.00

LIV-IEEE-V21 IEEE 488, CCITT Standard $465 00 S369.00

CABLES

Part No. Description Price

CND-RS2328F RS232 8Cond 8 ft . . W. . $19.95

LIV-I2I IEEE to IEEE 2 Meter 1 $59.95

LIV-I2PET IEEE to Pet 2 Meter $59.95

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
PROTECT YOUR DATA WITH

^ I

ISOBAR. *

GOF-IBAR46

• Inductively isolated grounds

• Sockets individually filter isolated

• Each socket isolated from power

Hne LIST PRICE S 79 95
SALE PRICE $ 39 95

GOLD S-100 CONNECTORS

Part No.

1-9

SOLDER TAIL PRICE
10-24 25-99 100-249

S100STG 3.20 2.90 2.50 2.20

WIRE WRAP PRICE

Part No. 1-9 10-24 25-99 100-249

PRIORITY I ONE I ELECTRONICS

S100WWG 4.00 3.75 3.50

3.25

^.Shugart
SA801 R
SALE

SHU-SA801R
2 OR
MORE

$425 00

SOQCOO

WWW ea.

California Computer Systems

CCS2422A LIST $400.00 CAI C

FLOPPY DISK CONTROLLER
WITH CP/M VERSION 2.2 $375.00

IEEE S-100 COMPATIBLE SINGLE/DOUBLE DENSITY
5V4’78” DISK DRIVES
c 44, SINGLE//DOUBLE HEADED

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 113 ASSEMBLED & TESTED

PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS

9161-1 DEERING AVE. • CHATSWORTH, CA 91311

Terms: U.S.; VISA, MC, BAC Check, Money Order, U.S. Funds Only. CA. residents add 6% Sales Tax.
MINIMUM PREPAID ORDER $15.00. Include MINIMUM SHIPPING & HANDLING of $2.50 for the first
3 lbs., plus 25<t for each additional pound. Orders over 50 lbs. sent freight collect. Just in
case. ..please include your phone no. Prices subject to change without notice. We will do our best to
maintain prices thru JUNE, 1981. SOCKET and CONNECTOR prices based on GOLD, not exceeding
$700.00 per oz.

Sales Prices are for prepaid orders only. Credit Card orders will be charged appropriate freight.

S&77

2708

$8.50 EA.

450ns 8K
EPROM

8/ s 32.00

2716

*11 .95 EA

450ns 5 Volt only
16 K EPROM

87*48.00

2114-3L

4096 BIT (1024x4) 300ns

5257-3L

(TMS 4044)
4096x1 300ns

LOW POWER STATIC RAM

8/ s 30 00

8/*50°°

100 + s 3 00

100 pcs. + s 4 75

TRS-80/APPLE

MEMORY EXPANSION KITS

4116’s RAMS

from Leading Manufacturers

,o(16Kx1

for

200ns) - 7
$28 00 %

v ADD $3.00 FOR PROGRAMMING JUMPERS

FOR TRS-RO KFYBOARD

run i no-ou nc i uvnnu

4116’s 100 pcs & UP $3.00 each

1000 pcs & UP $2.75 each

PB1 2708/2716 PROGRAMMER 4
4K/8K EPROM BOARD

PB1 has two separate programming circuits so 2708 or
2716 (5v) type of EPROMs can be programmed without
modifying the board. Programming voltage is generated on-
board; no need for an external power supply. Programming
sockets are Dip Switch addressable toany 4K boundary. And
complete software is provided for programming and verify-
ing EPROMs.

Unused EPROM sockets don’t take memory space, so you
are never committed to the full 4K or 8K of memory.

SPECIFICATIONS

Memory capacity 4096/8192 bytes (four sockets)

Memory type 2708 EPROM (not included)

2716 EPROM + 5V type (not included)

Addressing:

EPROM Any 4K boundary

programmer Dip switch selection

Separate 2708 and 2716 sockets

On-board Any 4K/8K boundary above 8000 Hex

EPROMs Dip switch selection

Unused sockets do not enable data bus drive

Wait states 0 to 4 clock cycles

Buffering All lines buffered

Special feature LED indicator for programming mode

Switch to turn-off programming
voltage prevents accidental ROM
programming
Textool sockets (for programming
only)

List Price Our Price

SSMPB1K Kit $179.00

SSMPB1A Assembled & Tested $265.00 $230.00

MB8A 1 K/1 6K EPROM BOARD

The MB8A provides sockets to support up to 16 2708
EPROMs— the most widely used EPROM in the microcom-
puter industry. The board disables in 1 K increments simply
by removing the 1 K EPROMs. For example, with 8 EPROMs,
it acts as an 8K board.

The MB8a’s Magic Mapping enables the user to overlay
RAM and ROM at the same address in any desired incre-
ment when used with RAM boards equipped with Phantom
Disable.

List Price Our Price

SSMMB8AK Kit $114.00

SSMMB8AA Assembled & Tested $179.00 $159.00

ECONOROM 2708

16K x 8 EPROM BOARD USING 2708

The ECONOROM 2708 EPROM board is the ideal memory I
board for the user who wishes to place his softwarein |
reliable, low cost, and non-volatile 2708 EPROMs. With its I
on-board Power-On-Jump circuitry, the ECONOROM 2708 I
board is the ideal addition to any IEEE 696/S-100 system. |
List Price Our Price

GBT125U Unkit S 85.00

GBT125A Assembled & Tested $135.00 $120.00

GBT125C CSC $195.00 $175.00

Ciarcia’s Circuit Cellar

MICROMOUTH

SPEECH PROCESSOR

AS FEATURED IN JUNE BYTE, PAGE 46

• 144 expression vocabulary

• Assembled and Tested

• Complete Documentation

• Connect to a speaker or Power Amplifer

• Plugs into Apple II

• Plug compatable with TRS-80 Model 1

• May be adapted to run on the S-100, H-8, or any
parallel part.

MMI-94V0 APL for use with APPLE II, or

modified to run with other
parallel parts

MMI-94V0 TRS1 complete with interface

cable and AC Adapter, less
enclosure.

OUR PRICE

$149.00

$169.00

RDER TOLL FREE 1-800-423-5922 CA., AK., HI., (213) 709-5464

DETACH OUR CATALOG FR

1 56 INTERFACE AGE JUL Y 1981

Stripping with CP/M’s Editor

continued from page 100

Program listings

LISTING 1: Here's a section of a mailing list program, heavily commented
because it's designed to be user-proof and is therefore complex. Extensive
remarks remove headaches from the program development process. Exact
functioning of the program isn't important, but it important that, to be
edited by CP/M ED, it must have been saved in ASCII mode, by issuing the
command, in Microsoft MBASIC, SAVE "PROGNAME",A.

22999 1

2300G '★★ADDRESS

23010 LN=7:G0SUB 29100: IF TFOG THEN W$(3)="":G0T0 23030

23015 IF GP<3 THEN GP=3' indicating address portion of sector filled.

23C2C W$(3)=LEFT$ (W0$,2C) :WC$=W$(3)

23030 G0SUB 29200: RETURN
2304C '

23999 '

24000 '**CITY ST ZIP

24020 LN=8:G0SUE 29100' Place cursor to prompt City(+ST(+zip>) entry.

24C40 IF 7FOC THEN W$(4)="":G0T0 24420' User has no entry for this line.
24045 IF GP<4 THEN GP=4' Note sector is filled through 4th field.

24050 IF k0$="p" THEN W0$="P"' Both p 8 P OK as shortform Pittsburah.

24C6C IF W0$="P" THEN W$(4)="Pittsburgh":W$(5)="PA":PF=1 :G0T0 24320' Set PF.
24140 FCR L=1 TC LEN(W0S):IF MID$(WCJ,L,1 )<>"," THEN 24160' Find comma 8 pull
24145 WX$=W0$:W0$=LEFT$(W0$,L-1):GOSUB 2914C:W$(4)=W0J • city part 8 trim it.

24153 WC$=RIGHT$ (WX$,(LEN(WX$)-L)) :WX$="":G0SUB 2914G:G0T0 24260 'process rest.
24160 NEXT L' Reaching here = no comma in entry so it's city only.

241E0 W$(4)=W0S :WX$=" > > <"+CE$:G0SUB 292GC' Display £ prompt.

24200 CL=35+LEN(WC$)+2:G0SUB 291C0' Receive ST(+zip).

24260 IF LEN(W$ (4) )>10 THEN W$(4)=LEFT$(W$(4),1G) ' Keep city < 11 chars.

2427C IF LEN(W0$)>2 THEN W$(5)=LEFTS(WC$,2) :W0$=RIGHT$(WO$, (LEN(W0S)-2) ) :

G0SUB 291 40: GOTO 24360
24280 W$(5)=WG$

24320 W0$=U'S(4)+" "+WS(5)+" ":CL=35:WX$="> <"+CE$:G0SUB 29200' Prompt zip.
24340 CL=35+LEN(WO$)+1:GOSUB 29100' Receive zip.

2436G IF LEN(WC$)>5 THEN WC$=RIGHT$(W0$,5) ' Trim zip.

2438 C W$ (6) =WCS : WC$=W$ (4) +" "+W$(5)+" "+W$(6)+CE$:CL=35' Echo all.

24420 IF TF=1 THEN TF=C' TF may have become set by nul ST or zip entry.

24440 GCSUB 29200: RETURN' to main routine for more data, then correction run.
24999 '

22999 '

2300G ***ADDRESS

23010 LN=7:G0SUB 29100:IF TF<>0 THEN W$(3)="":G0T0 23C3C
23015 IF GP<3 THEN GP=3'

230 20 W$(3)=LEFTS(W0S,2C) :W0$=W$(3)

23030 G0SUB 292CC: RETURN
23040 '

23999 1

24000 ★★★CITY ST ZIP
24020 LN=8:G0SUB 29100'

24040 IF TFOQ THEN WS(4)= ,,M :G0T0 24420'

24045 IF GP<4 THEN GP=4'

... etc.

LISTING 4: Now, to delete spacer lines that were included during program
development to help spot program sections, we issue these commands:

Back to Beginning: *B

Key command: *#MF ' ~L"Z-1L1K

As many times (AO as possible, execute this
Macro (multi-step) command: _Find all instances of ' ~L (that is, a space
followed by a followed by a carriage-return-line-feed) , and in each instance
back up tc that line ( -1L) and j<ill that one line (IK) .

Result? Since only spacer lines contain the combination ' ~L , the spacer lines
are now deleted throughout the file as in the sample below.

2300C ★★★ADDRESS

2301 C LN=7:G0SUB 291 00: IF TF<>0 THEN W$ (3 )='"': GOTO 23030
23015 IF GP<3 THEN GP=3'

23020 W$ (3) =LEFT$ (WC$,20) :W0S=W$(3)

2303C G0SUB 29200: RETURN
24000 ★★★CITY ST ZIP
24020 IN=S:G0SUB 29100'

24C4C IF TFO0 THEN W$(4)= M,, :G0T0 24420'

24C45 IF GP<4 THEN GP=4'

24050 IF W0$="p" THEN W0$="P"'

2406C IF WG$= M P" THEN W$,4)="Pittsburgh ,, :WI(5)= M PA M :PF=1 :G0T0 24320'

24140 FOR L=1 TO LEN(W0$):IF MID$(WC$,L,1 )<> ,, , ,, THEN 2416C
... etc.

LISTING 5: Now, another command removes all ' marks, no longer needed.

Beginning of file: *B

Key command: *#S' "Z"Z

Literal translation: Make this

Substitution throughout (#) the file: For every ', put in nothing instead.
"Nothing" is represented by the absence of anything at all before the second
“Z.

JULY 1981 INTERFACE AGE 157

LISTING 2: With only a partial listing for illustration purposes, here's the
result of applying this series of commands. The symbol ~ indicates that the
character which follows it is a control character, as in ~Z. The computer's
responses are in boldface; yours are underlined.

Command (while in CP/M system mode):

In ED, computer's prompt is *

Command to Append whole (A) file for edit:

Command to return to Beginning of file:

Key command for this stage of process:

Meaning: As many times (#) as possible.

Substitution: For every instance of '** put in *** instead. In ED, ~Z
delineates the end of a string of characters that are to be taken by the
machine as such, and not as part of the command.

A >ED PROGNAME.BAS
*#A

*AS ' **~Z***~Z

The result, shown below, is that the REMark delineator ' (single quote or
apostrophe) is replaced with an asterisk in those key lines, such as jump
targets or otherwise crucial remark lines, which were prepared by being tagged
'** instead of simply This will preserve these particular REMark lines in
subsequent editing.

22999 '

23GC0 ***ADDRESS

23C1C LN=7:G0SUB 2910C:IF TF<>0 THEN W$(3)="":G0T0 23030

23015 IF GP<3 THEN GP=3' indicating address portion of sector filled.

23020 W$(3)=LEFT$(WG$,2C) :W0$=W$(3)

23030 GCSUB 2920C: RETURN
23G4C '

23999 '

24000 ***CITY ST ZIP

24G2C LN=£:G0SUB 29100’ Place cursor to prompt City(+ST(+zip)) entry.

24C4G IF TFOC THEN W$(4)="":G0TC 24420' User has no entry for this line.
24045 IF GP<4 THEN GP=4' Note sector is filled through 4th field.

... etc.

LISTING 3: Now we apply these commands:

Go to beginning of file: *B

Key command for this stage: *AMJ ' ~Z~Z~L~Z

This command, literally translated, says:

As many times (#) as possible, execute this Macro jJuxtapcsition command: Find

every ', insert nothing after it (that's why the "Z terminating the
single-character string ' is followed immediately by another *Z), and delete
everything up to the next cerriage-return-line-feed. The CRLF is represented
by "L in ED commands.

The result, in plain English, is the deletion from the file of anything that
falls between any ' and any carriage return. In Microsoft's MBASIC, that is,
in effect, the definition of a REMark. Note that the protected remarks,
showing now as ***, survived this edit as intended.

23000 ***ADDRESS

2301 C LN=7:G0SUB 29100:IF TF<>0 THEN W$(3)="":G0T0 23G30

2301 5 IF GP<3 THEN GP=3

2302C W$(3)=LEFT$(WCI,2G) :W0$=W$(3)

23C3C G0SUB 29200: RETURN

24CCC ***CITY ST ZIP

24C2C LN=6:G0SU6 291 0C

24C4G IF TFO0 THEN W$(4)="":GCT0 24420

24045 IF GP<4 THEN GP=4

24050 IF W0S="p" THEN W0$="P"

24060 IF W0$="P" THEN W$,4)="Pi ttsburgh":W$ (5)="PA”:PF=1 :GCTC 24320
24140 FOR L=1 TO LEN(WP$):IF MID$(WCt,L,1 )<>"," THEN 2416C

LISTING 6: The process comes full circle. We restore the REMark status of the
jump-target remark lines by replacing *** with ', using this command:

Command to return to beginning of file:
Key command:

See listing 2 for translation.

Final command is to End the edit.

*ftS***~Z 1 ~z

And here is the final "stripped" program section.

23000 'ADDRESS

23C1C LN=7: GCSUB 2910C: IF TFOC THEN W$(3)="":G0T0 23C2C

23015 IF GP<3 THEN GP=3

23C2C W$(3)=LEFT$(W0$,20) :W0$=W$(3)

23C3C GCSUB 29200:RETURN

24000 'CITY ST ZIP

24020 LN=8: GCSUB 29100

24040 IF TFOC THEN W$(4)="":G0T0 2442C

24045 IF GP<4 THEN GP=4

24050 IF W0$="p" THEN WC$="P"

24060 IF WC$="P" THEN W$,4)="Pittsburgh":W$(5)="PA":PF=1 :G0T0 24320
241 40 FOR L=1 TO LEN(WC$):IF MID$(W0$,L,1 )<>"," THEN 24160
24145 WXS=WCI:W0$=LEFT! (WC'$,L-1 ) :G0SUB 29140:W$(4)=WC$

24153 W0I=RIGHT$(WX$, (LEN(WXS)-L)) :WX$="”:G0SUB 29140:G0T0 24260
24160 NEXT L

24180 W$(4)=WC$:W0$=" > > <"+CE$:G0SUB 2920C

242GC C L=35+LEN (WC$ ) +2 : G0SUB 291 GO

24260 IF LEN(W$(4))>1C THEN W$(4)=LEFT$(W$(4),1C)

24270 IF LEN(W0$)>2 THEN W$(5)=LEFT$(W0$,2) :W0$=RIGHT$(W0$,(LEN(WC$)-2>)
GCSUB 291 40: GOTO 24360
24280 WI(5)=WC$

2432C W0$=W$(4)+" "+V$(5)+" ":CL=35:WX$="> <"+CES:GGSUB 29200

2434C CL=35+LEN (W0$ ) +1 : G0SUB 29100

24360 IF LEN(W0$)>5 THEN W0$=RIGHT$(W0S,5)

24380 W$(6)=W0S:W0$=W$(4)+" "+W$(5)+" "+WI(6)+CE$:CL=35
24420 IF TF=1 THEN TF=0
24440 G0SUB 29200: RETURN

INSIDE /*■
INFORMATION as.

Yferbatim Data Life

We are one of the largest distributors
in the industry selling at the lowest
prices. Buy any quantity by calling

TOLL FREE 1-800-523-9350. We're
never your competitor. We sell only to
dealers: just for calling or writing we'll
send you our FREE Dealer Information
Packet,

CALL TOLL FREE:
1-800-523-9350

In PA. call collect (215)776-2100

COMPUTER
RESOURCES
COMPANY
1437 Gordon St., Allentown, PA 18102

TRS-80 Computers

For the best deals on TRS-80 Com-
puters we have special discounts,
FREE Shipping and a TOLL FREE
ORDER NUMBER.

Pan American
Electronics

Incorporated

Radw/haek

Dept. IA 1117 Conway, Mission, Texas 78572
Telex Number 767339
Toll Free Order Number 800/531 7466
Texas 8- Principal Number 512/581-2765

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 117

MEMOREX

Floppy Discs

Lowest prices. WE WILL NOT
BE UNDERSOLD!! Buy any

quantity 1-1000. Visa, Mastercharge
accepted. Call free (800)2354137
for prices and information. All
orders sent postage paid.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 126

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 127

JELLGUARD

$199.

THE BEST, most useful, spelling
proof read i ng package available. Independent
reviews prove it - write for copies. Requires 32 K
CP/M*, MP/M*, CDOS*, or CROMIX*. Works with
any console device. Compatible with Magic Wand*,
WordStar*, Electric Pencil*, WordMaster* and ED.
Fully tested. Professional, first class software.
Delivered ready to run - no user reconfiguration
required. Excellent documentation and 8" SD
soft-sectored, or 5 1/4” disk: DD or QD for

NorthStar* or SuperBrain*; Micropo!is*l; DD
Micropolis II; Apple* II w/Microsoft Z80, specify 13

or 16 sector disk $199.

SPELLGUARD* and Magic Wand*(l.l) $499.

We rigorously select, use and support the
software we sell. Orders
promptly acknowledged and
pped. Checks must clear
before shipment. Our low
prices reflect full cash
discount while maintaining
quality customer service. Visa
& MasterCharge add 3%.
Shipping $3. per order. Phone
& export orders welcome.

* = trademark.

49 Pelican Court, Syosset, NY 1 1791
(516) 921 - 3083 Write for catalog!

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 128

FREE

business software
directory

• Radio Shack’s Model-I, II, III.

• Heath’s MBASIC and HDOS.

• CPM

Data base manager, integrated
accounting package, inventory,
word processing, and advanced
mailing list.

Micro Architect Inc.
96 Dothan St.
Arlington, MA 02174

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 124

Wall Street
Software™

• PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

• OPTION PRICE ANALYSIS PROGRAMS
(volatility, time premium, Black-Scholes)

• STOCK PRICE TREND ANALYSIS
(volume, price, direction)

• COMMODITY TRADING SYSTEMS
Instantaneous analysis of market conditions.
You cannot afford to trade without timely
data. A broad variety of sophisticated
computer investment analysis programs
(similar to those used by the large
investment houses) now made affordable for
the individual investor.

• For all minicomputers, home computers
and other systems

SEND $5.00 FOR OUR CATALOG TODAY.

Wall Straet Software Your Syatam

332 E. 30th Straat

New York, NY 10016

□ No Bystem, send Information.
Nam#

Address

Clty/Stata/ZIp

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 129

MICRODEX

INTERACT Owners. You are not abandoned.
Write or call for catalogue on tapes, keyboards,
RS232 interface, documentation, sales and service.
Micro Video, POB 7357, Ann Arbor, Ml 48107.
(313) 996-0626.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING. Patterson Engi-
neering has programs written for the Apple
computer. Simple beam, Continuous beam. Grid,
Frames, and Trusses represent some of our
programs. Interested persons call 714-891-0935.

TAX PLANNING SOFTWARE. A sophisticated tax
forecasting and planning program designed by a
professional tax consultant. Will compute individual,
corporate & trust income taxes for 1979, 1980 &
1981 . Runs on TRSDOS, MDOS & CP/M systems.
Top quality user manual. Call 913-362-9667. O.E.M.
& dealer inquiries invited. Send $15 for manual to
Jacobs, Box 8137, Prairie Village, KS, 66208.

COMPUTER SECURITY for Business Systems.
This booklet tells you how to protect your
files against misuse and theft. Data, file and
program security are discussed and sample pro-
grams are provided. Send $1 7.95 check or M.O. to
FOWLER SERVICES CO., P.O. Box 240, WYTHE-
VILLE, VA 24382.

NORTHSTAR SOFTWARE. Bowling secretary—
$60. Mailing label— $60. Complete business system
(A/R, A/P, G/L, Inventory, payroll, and more)—
$120. expanded payroll and labor cost accounting
— $70. Send $5 for any manual ($10 for expanded
payroll). JCS Company, 1938 Seakale, #201,
Houston, TX 77062.

SOFTWARE AUTHORS!— We want to sell your pro-
grams! Send your tape or disk (with any documen-
tation) to our software review board— American,
P.O. Box 2149, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.

MULTIPLICATION TABLES (1-10) PRIMARY
MATH (Add, Sub, Mult, Dlv) Fun & Easy. Repetition,
Review, & Reward. Proven effective in overcoming
math problems. Apple II, Cassette $10.00, Disk
$14.00 plus tax. No P&H. Check or Money Order.
Pipes Computer Software, Route 1, Box 284,
Murphy, NC 28906.

HEATH /ZENITH professionally designed business
and educational systems. For complete H8 and
H/Z89 product line information, contact: XtraSoft,
Inc., P.O. Box 91063, Louisville, KY 40291,
Ph. (502) 499-1533.

MARYMAC INDUSTRIES. INC.

TRS-80

1 0%-1 5% DISCOUNT
OR MORE

ON ALL NEW TRS-80
MODEL II and III COMPUTERS

Save State Sales Tax. Texas
Residents Add Only 5% Sales Tax.
Open Mon. -Sat. 10-7. We pay freight
and insurance. No extra charge for
Mastercard or Visa. Call us for a
Reference in or near your city.
Reference: Farmers State Bank,
Brookshire, Texas.

Orders: 1-800-231-3680
21969 Katy Fwy.,

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 29

mi«nn rr> /in i /wrm

ijjiLnuiiJttnnci

MICRO-MARKET ADS
SELL

YOUR PRODUCTS

A new format has been
established for the Micro-
Market section. All ads are
now 2 inches wide by 3 inches
deep. Price is $320 on a lx
rate. Submit ads with check
or money order to:

INTERFACE AGE Magazine
Micro-Market Ads
P.O. Box 1234
Cerritos, CA 90701
(213) 926-9544

Lou/ Cost

News Release Service
Via Mail

For Small Companies,
OEMs & ISOs

Is your company too small to afford an
advertising agency? For only $75.00 per news
release, we will act as your agency and send
your pre-typed release to 1 26 computer related
periodicals throughout the USA and Canada.
For an additional $75.00 we will professionally
write your news release and send them out on
our agency news release form.

These services allow you to get your product
messages to the same periodicals as the large
established companies at a fraction of their cost.
Send your check or money order to:

Creative Marketing Services Group
News Release Services Division
6221 Sierra Siena Rd.

Irvine, CA 92715
(714) 833-7730

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 116

\ m NEW! for
v the ’89 from

^^^MAGNOLIAfl

MICROSYSTEMS

DOUBLE DENSITY
DISK CONTROLLER

for both 5V-4" & 8" drives

only $595 complete

including CP/M™2.2

MAGNOLIA MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
2812 Thorndyke W., Seattle 98199
(206) 285-7266 (800) 426-2841

CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research.

BUSINESS SOFTWARE
IBM* 5110/5120

GENERAL LEDGER: Flexible organization
and reporting. $350.00

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Good reporting with
aged reports. $350.00

ACCOUNT RECEIVABLE: Open item
Apply payments by invoice or with out. Aged
reports, statements, and inquiry. $350.00

PAYROLL: Flexible and complete.

Qtrly reports, W2’s, etc. $350.00

CLIENT WRITE UP: Designed for CPA firms.
Flexible, very fast. Easy to tailor to clients. After
the fact payroll. $800.00

CPA SYSTEM: After the fact payroll. $800.00
INVENTORY SYSTEMS: Good reporting
system. $350.00

All systems can be stand alone or fully integrated.
All packages extremely well documented.
Demo packages available.
VISA/MASTERCHARGE
$200.00 discount on 4 or more.
OWATONNA COMPUTER SERVICES, INC.
P.O. Box 216
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 455-0741

* IBM trademark of International Business Machines

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 123

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 125

INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM

WITH PARTS EXPLOSION FOR
FINISHED GOODS AND ASSEMBLIES

Parts requirements forecasting & Pull Sheets
Reorder Reports
Economic Order Quantities
5000 Items per 8" disk

AVAILABLE FOR CROMEMCO, CP/M®.
AND OASIS OPERATING SYSTEMS

Hardware requirements: 64k RAM,

132 Column printer.

Manual and 8" floppy disk $250.

Multi-level explosion version $499.

Job Costing $350.

Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable,
Order Entry, General Ledger, Payroll and
Mailing List programs also available.

FEITH SOFTWARE, INC.

204 MARVIN RD.

ELKINS PARK, PA. 19117
(215) 702-8240

MICROCOMPUTER

INFORMATION

BOOKGUIDE 1: microprocessors
and microcomputers

This handy 160 page reference guide
organizes almost 500 abstracts of the latest
microcomputer books from 39 top-ranking
publishers. With comparative information
on 56 different topics, beginners or
professionals can find the best book for
their needs, the first time.

—History —Social Impact

—Software —Languages

—Hardware —Games

—And Much More
$1 1 .50 check or money order to:
LEATHERLEAF BOOK SERVICES, INC.
In USA:

Leatherleaf Book Services Inc.

P.O. Box 26
Pembina, ND 58271
In Canada:

Leatherleaf Book Services Inc.

P.O. Box 115, Postal Station C
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 3S3

[cippkz computer

APPLE II PLUS 48K $1179

DISK II WITH 3.3 549

DISK II WITHOUT 475

DC HAYES MODEM 325
VIDEOTERM 80 COL 299
SILENTYPE II 519

PAPER TIGER 445G 749

GATEWAY COMPUTER
CENTER

11470 SOUTH ST.
CERRITOS, CA 90701
(213) 865-4444

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 121

VORK lO

BASF-DPS

WORLD STANDARD TAPE

DATA
TRAC
C-10

• PROFESSIONAL
5 SCREW SHELL
• MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
• 1 DOZ. BULK PACK, $10
SENT POSTPAID

Calif, residents add 6% sales tax

YORK 10 ComputeruuQre

24573 Kittridge SL.Dept.il Canoga Park. C A 91307

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 130

TRS-80* COLOR Computer

BORED

with SLOW Cassettes

Put your BASIC program into
a ROM CARTRIDGE. Instant
run at power-up! More data
space! IT'S EASY! Send us your
program on cassette and we'll
quickly return it in a ROM
CARTRIDGE.

Prices start at $45.00

(Quantity Discounts Available)

Eigen

Systems P- O. Box 10234

Austin, Texas 78766
(512) 837-4665

— Assembly Language Rom Cartridges
— Custom Programming Services
TRS*-80 is a trademark of Tandy Corp.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 119

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 122

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 118

ADVERTISER INDEX

See Reader Service Card
between pages 144 & 145

Info

Inquiry

Number Page

MANUFACTURERS

5 AEI 43

6 A-T Enterprises 99

7 Analog Tech 36

8 Ashton/Tate 55

9 Avant Garde 54

* The CP/M Users Group 27

1 1 The Community Computerist’s Directory 140

1 2 CompuServe 24, 25

1 3 Computer Case Co 29

14 Computer Co. of America 115

1 5 Computer Furniture & Accessories 124

1 6 Computer Lab 83

17 Pacific Computer Brokers 64

1 8 Computer Mart of New Jersey 63

1 9 Computronics Inc 18

20 Condor Computer Corp 53

2 1 Continental Software 91

22 Cromemco Inc 1

23 Custom Computer (Computer Exchange) 122

* Cybernetics 61

* Data Dynamics T echnology 1 07, 1 1 3, 1 27, 1 33

24 Datasearch 60

25 Datasmith 40

26 Datasouth Computer Corp 15

27 Digital Graphic Systems 30

28 Discount Software Group 22

30 Ecosoft 30

31 Electronic Control T echnology 38

32 Electronic Specialists 50

33 Electronic Systems Furniture 118

34 Ellis Computers 11

35 Epson of America 39

37 Faircom 112

38 Hayes Microcomputer 7

40 IMS International 26

42,41 Infosoft 111,119

43 Inmac 49

44 Innosys 8

45 Innovative Software 120

46 Input/Ouput 13

47 Integrand 19

Interface Age Subscriptions insert between 32 & 33

49 Leading Edge IFC

50 T om Lenz 56

* Lifeboat Associates 3, 35

51 Lifelines 51

36 Lo-Ball Comptuers 116

53 3M 9

54 Malibu Electronics 10

55 Charles Mann & Assoc. (Creative Discount Software) ...... 96

56 Measurement Systems 1 6, 1 7

57 Meta Technologies 105

* Micro Applications Group 42

58, 59 Micro Ap 57, 1 09

60 Microhouse 114

61 Micro Mate 54

* Microsette 14

62 Muse 110

63 New England Business Systems 87

64 Novation 12

65 OEM Software 97

66 Okidata 23

67 Omega Sales 59

68 Pickles & Trout 38

69 Prodigy 101

70 Quantex 80

71 Racet Computes 37

Info

Inquiry

Number Page

72 Rochester Data 56

73 Sorrento Valley 50

75 Structured Systems Group Inc 31

76 Supersoft 4

77 Synertek Systems 21

78 Systems Integration 96

79 Systems Plus 47

80 TEI 65

81 Tarbell 41

82 Tecmar 60

83 Transnet 20

* University Microfilms 1 08, 1 1 6

84 Vandata 5

85 Vector Graphic BC

86 Vista 32

* Western Electronics 71

1 31 Westland Electronics 65

88 X-Comp Ill

RETAIL

89 Advanced Management Strategies 79

90 Adventure International 143

91 American Square 121

92 Avidd Electronics 134

* Beta Computer Devices 137

93 Bits ’n Bytes 144

94 The CPU Shop 123

95 Computers Etc 119

96 Computers Plus 132

97 Computes Wholesale 130

98 Cornerstone 126

100 Disc/3 Mart 146

101 FMGCorp 151

102 FutraCo 131

1 03 Long Island Computer 146

1 04 Micro Business World 138

1 05 Micro Mike’s, Inc 75

106 107 Mini Micro Mart, Inc 89,117,128,145

1 08 Olympic Sales 142

109 Orange Micro 125

110 Perry Gas & Oil 139

1 1 1 Personal Computer Systems 136

112 PolyPaks 140

113 Priority One 155

1 1 4 Prosof t 144

* Rainbow 129

1 1 5 Stoneware Microcomputers 147

* VR Data 141

MICRO MARKET

1 1 6 Creative Marketing Services 159

117 Computer Resources Co 158

1 1 8 Eigen Systems 159

1 1 9 Feith Systems • .... 1 59

121 Gateway Computer Center 159

1 22 Leatherleaf Books 159

1 23 Magnolia Microsystem 159

29 Marymac Industries 158

1 24 Micro Architect 158

1 25 Owatonna Computer 158

1 26 Pacific Exchanges 158

1 27 Pan American Electronics 158

1 28 Pelican Programs 158

1 29 Wall Street Software 158

130 York 10 159

* Manufacturer requests factory direct inquiry.

This index is provided as an additional service. The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions.

160 INTERFACE AGE

JULY 1981

The System/48 is the outstanding office automation com-
puting system for the 80’s . it’s so productive we call it

MAGIC®. Look at these features:

• One to eight interactive users per node

• Data management system

• Report generator

• Query processor

• Screen format generator

• Automatic interface code generator

• Up to ’/ 2 Mbytes of user memory

• Winchester disk with 1 8-million bytes (formatted
capacity)

• 1 5-minute mean-time-to-repair

• Built-in protection from line-voltage spikes, noise, and
brownouts

And, it features MAGIC®, the Operating System that gets
things done faster than you can say abracadabra because
of its multi-keyed Indexed-Sequential Access Method and
flexible file-organization. MAGIC® also offers high security,
with password protection. MAGIC® supports global or local
printers for as many users as desired.

MAGIC® also includes DataMagic II — TEI’s red-hot data-
base manager. DataMagic II has even more tricks up its
sleeve — like automatic or manual record-lock protection
and automatic.transaction backout to protect the database.
And it runs application software written for CP/M 2.X.

Take a MAGIC® leap into the future!

Arrange to attend one of our regularly scheduled System/
48 workshops (RSVP).

OEM and Dealer Inquiries Invited

System/48

5075 S. LOOP EAST, HOUSTON. TX. 77033
(713) 738-2300 TWX. 910-881-3639

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 80

"And in conclusion,

I’ll only use
my exceptional powers
for the good of mankind!’

“That’s a vow all we Vector 3005s make. And it’s not one
we make lightly.

“After all, being the only product on the market with
a Vector 3 terminal, a 5'A" floppy, and a 534" Winchester
rigid disk drive that provides 5 megabytes of storage
is quite a responsibility. It used to take 20'floppies to give
you that kind of capacity.

“Our powers don’t stop there, however. Each 3005 also
comes with a 32-bit error-correcting code — the first time
sophisticated IBM-style technology has been available
on a small business system. This lets us detect and correct
errors, and almost completely eliminates data loss on
disks due to dirt, wear, or damage.

“All this makes us pretty awesome, all right. But there’s
more. When coupled with Vector’s MEMORITE III and
EXECUPLAN software packages, we give you a 30,000
word dictionary, the ability to create your own phrase
library, a teaching manual right on the screen, pass word
security, plus a host of other word processing capabili-
ties as well as financial planning, forecasting and
basic accounting.

“And we’re reliable. Our powers won’t diminish, Durabili-
ties won’t fade, and dedication to mankind won’t weaken.

“For more information and your nearest dealer, call
Vector at 800-423-5857. In California, call 800-382-3367.
Or write to them at 31364 Via Colinas, Westlake Village,

CA 91362.

“Thank you all for coming today. And I hope we’ll have
the chance to do business together in the future!’

VECTOR GRAPHIC INC.

COMPUTERS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SOCIETY.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 85

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Texts

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Interface Age 1981 07"

See other formats